iPhone 18 Pro launches in 2 months, you should wait for it only if you are richie rich

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to bring useful upgrades, but the biggest change could be its much higher price. Unless you don't mind spending significantly more, the iPhone 17 Pro may offer far better value.iPhone 18 Pro launches in 2 months, you should wait for it only if you are richie rich (Represenational image create dusing AI)Apple is just a few weeks away from unveiling its next-generation iPhones, but this year, the biggest talking point may not be a flashy new feature. Instead, it could be the price tag. If leaks and analyst predictions are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro series may become Apple's most expensive mainstream smartphones yet. That makes the decision surprisingly simple for many buyers that unless your budget is flexible, the smarter purchase may actually be the current iPhone 17 Pro.The iPhone 18 lineup is also expected to look different from previous years. Reports suggest Apple will reserve September for the premium models like the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone, while the standard iPhone 18 could arrive later in the spring.The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to bring a handful of notable improvements, but nothing that completely changes the experience. Rumours point to a smaller Dynamic Island, a redesigned Camera Control button that's less likely to be triggered accidentally, and a new variable aperture main camera that could give users more control over depth-of-field effects.Apple is also expected to introduce its new A20 Pro chip, reportedly built on a 2nm process, alongside a new networking chip. The Pro models are tipped to continue with 12GB RAM, while Apple's in-house C2 modem could finally make its way to the Pro lineup, bringing support for satellite connectivity over 5G. The iPhone 18 Pro Max could see the biggest practical upgrade. It is rumoured to be slightly thicker to accommodate a significantly larger battery, which, combined with the more efficient modem, could deliver noticeably better battery life. In fact, a new colour options, including a rumoured red finish, are also expected.iPhone 18 Pro series launching soon: Should you wait for it?The bigger concern is what buyers may have to pay for these changes. Apple has already increased prices across parts of its Mac and iPad lineup, and industry watchers expect the same trend to continue with the iPhone 18 Pro series. While nothing is official yet, several reports suggest prices in the US could rise by as much as $200. Some estimates have even floated a $300 increase, although that would represent the higher end of expectations. If those increases carry over to India, the impact could be substantial. The iPhone 17 Pro launched at Rs 1,34,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max started at Rs 1,49,900. Their successors are widely expected to cost noticeably more, making Apple's premium phones even more exclusive.That creates an awkward value equation. The expected hardware improvements are useful, but for many buyers they may not justify spending tens of thousands of rupees extra.For anyone upgrading from an older iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro suddenly looks like the more sensible option. It still offers flagship performance, premium cameras and years of software support, while avoiding the likely price jump that the iPhone 18 Pro could bring.Of course, buyers who always want the newest Apple hardware, or those interested in features like the improved camera system and potentially stronger battery life, may still prefer to wait. But if budget matters, the upcoming launch may actually make last year's Pro iPhone the better deal.With Apple's premium devices expected to become even more expensive in the coming years, waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro only makes sense if paying top dollar isn't a concern. For everyone else, grabbing the iPhone 17 Pro before prices move higher could be the smarter choice.- EndsPublished By: Ankita GargPublished On: Jul 21, 2026 15:40 IST