A reliable leaker with a solid track record has confirmed the growing speculation regarding higher pricing for the iPhone 17 lineup compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 16. However, they also indicated that Apple is making efforts to soften the impact of this price increase for consumers. For instance, while the base model of the iPhone 16 Pro starts at 128GB flash storage, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro is expected to come with 256GB, effectively providing an added value of approximately $100.
Reports have circulated widely suggesting that Apple will raise prices for the new iPhone 17 models, primarily to offset the financial burden imposed by US tariffs on products manufactured in China. Although Apple is striving to increase production in India to meet US demand for the iPhone 17, it is unlikely that they will fully satisfy the launch requirements. Previously, Apple absorbed these additional costs, incurring a $900 million hit in Q2, but it is now expected to pass on at least a portion of these expenses to consumers.
Back in May, my prediction indicated a potential price increase of $50, a sentiment echoed by an analyst last month who also suggested that the base model might remain unaffected. Supporting this claim, leaker Instant Digital has also weighed in on the anticipated $50 price hike, while leaker Setsuna Digital confirmed their findings, indicating that the base model will indeed feature the 256GB storage upgrade.
Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro starts with 128GB of storage, with only the Pro Max variant offering 256GB. However, with the iPhone 17 Pro, the standard will shift to a 256GB base storage, aligning with Apple's strategy seen in the previous iPhone 15 lineup. Notably, the Pro Max model's storage options remain uncertain; it is unclear if it will continue to start at 256GB or if it will see an increase to 512GB. The prevailing speculation suggests that no changes will be made to the Pro Max storage tier.
If all reports regarding the iPhone 17 pricing are accurate, the lineup will consist of the following models and their respective prices:
iPhone 17: $799 iPhone 17 Pro (256GB): $1,049 iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,249 iPhone 17 Air: $949As highlighted last week, the iPhone 17 Air may face challenges in attracting buyers given its relatively modest specifications at a higher price point. It remains to be seen how many consumers will be willing to invest in this slimmer model, especially when compared to its more robust counterparts.
As the release of the iPhone 17 approaches, potential buyers should prepare for a price increase, albeit with enhanced storage options that offer better value. The shift in Apple's pricing strategy may prompt consumers to reconsider their choices, especially with the introduction of the new iPhone 17 lineup.
