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Apple has quietly raised prices on the iPhone 16, 17, 17e, and Air, timing the changes to its unveiling of the new iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and foldable Duo. In some cases, these older phones now cost more than they did when they first went on sale.
In past years, a new iPhone launch typically brought price cuts on older models, rewarding shoppers who waited. This year breaks that pattern: several existing iPhones have jumped by $100.
iPhone 16’s Price Cut Undone
Before Wednesday’s event, the iPhone 16 sold for $699, after having dropped $100 when the iPhone 17 debuted last year. Apple has now undone that discount, pushing the iPhone 16 back to its original 2024 launch price of $799.
Current Models Priced Above Their Debut Cost
The iPhone 17, 17e, and Air are all now pricier than when they were introduced. The entry-level iPhone 17e debuted at $599 this past March and now costs $699.
The standard iPhone 17, which launched last September at $799, has climbed to $899. The iPhone Air, originally priced at $999 alongside the 17, now runs $1,099.
Pro Models Also Cost More
Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max carry $100 higher starting prices than their predecessors did at launch, opening at $1,199 and $1,299.
Some had speculated Apple might hold the 18 Pro’s starting price to $1,099, absorbing rising component costs to match last year’s 17 Pro pricing — a reasonable guess given the company’s typical approach.
Instead, Apple appears unwilling to sacrifice that much margin this time. The company’s Q3 2026 earnings showed a $29.8 billion net profit, with iPhone revenue climbing 22 percent to $54.25 billion.
The Reason Behind the Hikes
These increases track with broader industry pressures. Surging AI-related demand for memory chips has pushed up component costs as manufacturers compete for scarce supply.
In June, former Apple CEO Tim Cook told the Wall Street Journal that although the company was trying to “mitigate” the impact on customers, “price increases are unavoidable.”
Bloomberg later reported last month that Apple was planning iPhone price increases, following similar hikes already applied to the iPad Air, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio.
Updated Pricing at a Glance
- iPhone 16: now $799, previously $699
- iPhone 17: now $899, up from a $799 launch price
- iPhone 17e: now $699, up from a $599 launch price
- iPhone Air: now $1,099, up from a $999 launch price
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max start at $1,199 and $1,299, each $100 above what the prior generation cost at launch.
What This Means for Buyers
These increases upend the discount pattern shoppers have come to expect from Apple. Those who delayed purchasing last year’s models in hopes of a markdown now find themselves paying more than those models originally cost.
With the new iPhone 18 lineup, the ceiling on Apple’s pricing has risen overall. Pricing details for the foldable Duo were not included in this report.
It remains to be seen whether buyers will accept these higher prices or choose to stick with their existing phones for another cycle.
Source: mashable.com
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