0646 GMT - Apple may keep price hikes minimal for its coming iPhone 18 Pro despite a sharp jump in production costs, according to research firm TrendForce. The cost of components used in the iPhone 18 Pro 256GB model is expected to surge about 38% on year, largely due to soaring memory prices. Memory chips accounted for just 10% of the phone's component costs a year ago, but that share is projected to exceed 40% by early 2027, TrendForce says. To avoid hurting demand, Apple may accept lower profit margins on the new model and could even raise prices on older iPhone models to help offset the higher costs, TrendForce says.