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Apple has increased prices across several iPhone models, including the iPhone 16, 17, 17e, and Air, coinciding with the launch of its new iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and foldable Duo. Notably, some of these older devices now cost more than their original retail prices when first released.
Departing from its typical practice of discounting previous-generation iPhones when new models arrive, Apple implemented $100 price increases across multiple devices. The iPhone 16 returned to its $799 launch price after previously being reduced to $699. The budget iPhone 17e jumped from its original $599 price point to $699, while the iPhone 17 increased from $799 to $899, and the iPhone Air rose from $999 to $1,099.
The newly released iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max also reflect higher pricing, starting at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively, representing a $100 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro models at their launch. Industry observers had anticipated Apple would absorb manufacturing cost increases to maintain previous pricing levels, but the company chose to pass these expenses to consumers instead.
The price adjustments reflect rising manufacturing expenses driven by increased demand for memory chips amid the artificial intelligence boom. Apple’s former CEO Tim Cook previously acknowledged that price increases were “unavoidable” despite company efforts to mitigate customer impact. Apple has already implemented similar price hikes on other products, including iPad Air, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio models.
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Originally reported by Mashable →
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