Apple fans preparing for the iPhone 17 launch may need to budget extra cash. Investment firm GF Securities’ analyst Jeff Pu mentioned in a research note that the iPhone 17 lineup would be more expensive than the iPhone 16, marking another potential price bump for Apple’s flagship series.
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Expected Pricing Changes
| Model | Current Price | Expected Price | Storage Upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | $799 | $849 (estimated) | Unknown |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $999 | $1,049+ | 256GB base |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $1,199 | $1,249+ | 256GB base |
| iPhone 17 Air | TBA | Premium pricing | TBA |
Why The Price Increase?
The main culprit appears to be geopolitical tensions and manufacturing costs. A 20 percent tariff applied on iPhones assembled in China might have forced Apple’s hand, with a previous estimation mentioning that a $50 price hike was imminent.
However, Apple isn’t just raising prices without offering value. The iPhone 17 Pro is now rumored to start with a base storage of 256GB, just like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which should offer some justification as to why Apple is bumping up that price.
Apple’s Storage Strategy
This isn’t Apple’s first rodeo with price-through-storage tactics. During the iPhone 15 Pro Max launch, the Cupertino firm phased out the 128GB storage variant in favor of a 256GB one, but it also introduced a starting price $1,199 instead of $1,099.
The tech giant has successfully used storage upgrades to justify price increases before, and early indicators suggest they’ll deploy the same strategy for iPhone 17. Apple might get away with this tactic for another year, but only if it increases the base storage to 256GB for the entire iPhone 17 family.
Market Impact
While the price increase might frustrate budget-conscious consumers, Apple’s premium positioning remains strong. The company continues balancing profitability with consumer expectations, especially as manufacturing costs rise globally.
Competition from Android flagships may intensify as Apple pushes prices higher, but loyal customers often accept premium pricing for iOS ecosystem benefits and long-term software support.
FAQs
How much will the iPhone 17 cost more than iPhone 16?
Analysts predict around $50 increase, with base models potentially starting at $849.
What justifies the iPhone 17 price increase?
Manufacturing tariffs and upgraded base storage from 128GB to 256GB across Pro models.
