Apple has raised prices across its entire iPhone range—yes, even for models that haven’t changed—with the new price structure taking effect following the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This marks the first time since previous Pro launch cycles that baseline and mid-tier iPhones have been subjected to a wholesale price hike. All models now cost $100 more than before.
Details of the Price Increase
The base iPhone 17 now starts at $899, up from $799. The iPhone 17e, previously priced at $599, has seen its cost raised to $699. The iPhone Air has joined the four-digit club, climbing to $1099 for its entry-level version. The iPhone 16 also got bumped to $799 for its lowest-capacity 128 GB model.
The top of the lineup sees similar increases: the iPhone 18 Pro begins at $1199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max now starts at $1299, both at 256 GB. Even Apple’s premium ultra-luxury model, the iPhone Duo, hasn’t escaped the hike—its starting price is now set at $1999 for the same base storage.
What’s Behind the Hikes
These price adjustments come despite there being no hardware changes to many models—they’re simply more expensive as of today. The rationale appears rooted in rising component costs, including storage and RAM. Apple reportedly believes a $100 increase per model is preferable to larger jumps that some market watchers had been anticipating.
Also notable: Apple is staggering its annual unveiling schedule. For 2026, the new Pro models have shipped this fall, while updates to the base and Air iPhones are delayed until the March/April window of 2027. The iPhone 17 Pro has now been officially discontinued.
New Pricing Tier Summary
- iPhone 17e (256 GB): $699
- iPhone 16 (128 GB): $799
- iPhone 17 (256 GB): $899
- iPhone Air (256 GB): $1099
- iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB): $1199
- iPhone 18 Pro Max (256 GB): $1299
- iPhone Duo (256 GB): $1999
These shifts realign Apple’s entry-level phones with what were once mid-range prices and push its premium tier even further from cost-sensitive buyers.
What to Watch Going Forward
With base and Air models scheduled for refresh in early 2027, their upcoming upgrades could come at these new pricing tiers—or even higher, should component costs continue rising. For consumers, this means the total cost of owning an Apple phone is climbing, even if you don’t opt for the latest flagship. It’s also a signal that Apple believes there’s room to push prices across its ecosystem without dramatically altering hardware every year.
Price hikes on unchanged models might test customer loyalty. If the next-generation base and Air devices offer only incremental improvements but carry forward these price tags, buyers may look more closely at competing Android devices or the used/refurb market. Either way, Apple’s move today makes the economics of upgrading more complex—and more expensive—for everyone.
