Apple Breaks Its Usual Pricing Pattern
Apple has surprised iPhone buyers by increasing the prices of several older iPhone models after launching its latest devices. Usually, Apple reduces the price of previous-generation iPhones when new models arrive. This time, the company has taken the opposite approach, making older iPhones more expensive. The price changes came after Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, at its September 9 event.
Older iPhones Now Cost $100 More
In the US, Apple has increased the starting prices of four existing models by $100 each. The iPhone 16 now starts at $799, while the iPhone 17e starts at $699. The standard iPhone 17 now starts at $899, and the iPhone Air starts at $1,099. This is particularly unusual for the iPhone 17. Under Apple’s traditional pricing strategy, the previous year’s model would normally become cheaper after a new generation arrived. Instead, its starting price has gone up by $100.
New iPhone Models Are Also More Expensive
Apple has also raised the prices of its newest high-end iPhones. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both are $100 more expensive than their comparable predecessors. Apple also introduced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. The device starts at $1,999, making it the most expensive iPhone in Apple’s lineup.
Why Are iPhone Prices Increasing?
One major reason behind the price increases is the rising cost of memory and storage chips. Demand for these components has increased as technology companies continue to build large AI data centers. This has created pressure across the memory chip market and increased production costs for consumer electronics. Apple CEO Tim Cook had already warned earlier this year that rising memory and storage costs could force the company to increase prices.
Bigger Price Increases in Some Countries
The price increases are even larger in some international markets. In India, for example, the iPhone 17’s starting price increased to ₹99,900, while some iPhone Air configurations saw much bigger increases. The 1TB iPhone Air rose by around 41%, reaching ₹224,900. Local taxes, import duties, and other market-specific costs also contribute to differences in iPhone pricing between countries.
iPhone 17 Pro Models Discontinued
Apple has also removed the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max from its lineup following the launch of the new Pro models. This means customers looking for a lower-priced iPhone Pro model will have fewer options directly from Apple. The remaining older models are now positioned as alternatives to the newer premium devices.
What This Means for Buyers
The price changes could make buying an older iPhone less attractive for customers who were waiting for discounts. Instead of getting a cheaper previous-generation device, buyers now have to pay more for models such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17. This could push some customers toward carrier deals, third-party retailers, or refurbished phones. For people planning to upgrade, comparing prices across different retailers may now be more important than simply choosing an older model from Apple’s official store.
Apple Takes a Different Approach
Apple’s decision to raise prices on older iPhones marks a clear change from its usual strategy. The company is facing higher component costs while also expanding its lineup with more expensive products. With the iPhone 18 Pro series and the new foldable iPhone Duo, Apple is placing greater emphasis on premium devices. For consumers, however, the message is simple: waiting for an older iPhone to become cheaper may not work this year.
