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Google's $100 Pixel Price Hike and Trade-In Push Hint at Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Plans
Google has raised the prices of its Pixel 11 smartphones by $100, following a trend where they also increased base storage while cutting RAM in some models. This strategic pricing may indicate what Apple could do with its future iPhone 18 Pro models. Specifically, as manufacturers face rising RAM costs attributed to increased demand from AI data centers, both companies may need to adapt their pricing strategies. Apple's iPhone prices have yet to see an increase, despite expectancies for a rise coinciding with new releases.
MonitorConfidence: MediumShort term horizonSupply chain risk: High
Published 12 Aug 2026, 23:45 UTC3 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Google's Pixel models now start at $100 higher than last year.
- Trade-in offers are being heavily promoted to offset the price hike.
- Google's Pixel Watch 5 also sees a price rise.
- Some Pixel devices now offer 256GB starting storage.
- RAM has been reduced in some Pixel models to manage costs.
- Apple is considering price increases for iPhone 18 Pro models due to RAM production issues.
Interesting facts
- Analysts speculate that iPhone 18 Pro could be up to $300 more expensive than its predecessor.
- The semiconductor shortage has resulted in significant RAM price increases.