Expectations are now firmly set for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, as recent leaks suggest it will debut with a higher starting price and a revised storage configuration. According to the latest information from Weibo, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to start at $1,049 for the 256GB storage option, a noticeable increase from the previous model's starting price of $999 for the 128GB option on the iPhone 16 Pro.
This significant change means that Apple will eliminate the entry-level 128GB configuration entirely, leaving consumers with just three storage options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. This reduction in available tiers marks a shift from the four options offered last year, signaling Apple's strategy to streamline its product offerings while driving up the average selling price.
Apple has a history of employing similar pricing strategies. For instance, in 2023, the company raised the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max from $1,099 to $1,199, while simultaneously increasing the base storage to 256GB. This approach allowed Apple to justify the price hike by ensuring customers received more storage upfront, a tactic that appears set to be repeated with the iPhone 17 Pro.
Last week, a leak hinted at a potential $50 price increase for the Pro lineup, although details regarding the storage configurations were initially left ambiguous. However, today’s update from Instant Digital has confirmed that the iPhone 17 Pro will indeed launch with a base storage of 256GB, effectively setting customer expectations ahead of the anticipated September launch.
In addition to the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is also expected to start at 256GB of storage. On the other hand, the standard iPhone 17 and the new iPhone 17 Air are likely to kick off with a 128GB base storage configuration. Pricing for the entire lineup appears to remain competitive, with the base model expected to start at $799, matching last year’s price, while the Air model is projected to replace the Plus at $949.
As for the iPhone 17 Pro, it will reportedly be priced at $1,049, and the Pro Max is anticipated to come in at $1,249, each reflecting a $50 increase compared to their predecessors. Although there remains uncertainty regarding whether the Pro Max will also see an increase in base storage, it currently appears unlikely based on the latest leaks.
As September approaches, consumers and tech enthusiasts alike eagerly await the official unveiling of the iPhone 17 series, with pricing and storage options likely to play a significant role in shaping purchasing decisions.
