The rumored iPhone 17 is getting loads of consideration for potential new features and upgrades, like extra reminiscence and a digicam improve. And the prospect of an ultrathin iPhone simply provides to the joy because the anticipated release date approaches.
However of all of the rumors concerning the new iPhone, some of the persistent could also be: How a lot will it value?
There are a number of components that would have an effect on the pricing for the rumored iPhone 17, together with tariffs, manufacturing prices and the general health of the US economy.
Apple didn’t reply to a request for remark.
We can’t know the precise worth for the subsequent iPhone till its launch, which is predicted to be in September. However we have pored over all of the leaks, rumors and predictions about costs, and we discovered methods that can assist you save if a brand new iPhone is in your future.
How tariffs may have an effect on the price of the subsequent iPhone
Amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff bender, greater reciprocal tariffs are presently on pause. Nonetheless, Trump took to social media on Friday, threatening Apple with a 25% tariff on all iPhones made exterior the US. Whereas there isn’t any timeline for this tariff rollout, there’s presently a ten% baseline tariff on all imports and a 30% tariff on items from China, the place Apple nonetheless manufactures most of its merchandise. These charges might also begin to rise in July when the preliminary tariff pause expires, which may result in greater costs on the whole lot — together with the rumored iPhone 17.
Apple seems to have dodged a number of the preliminary tariff influence. It stockpiled phones before tariffs took impact, and Trump’s exemption list included many telephones, laptops and different electronics that Apple produces.
The tech large has additionally moved some US iPhone production from China to India, which presently has a decrease tariff fee. Nonetheless, Trump known as out Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner to as an alternative transfer iPhone manufacturing to the US. Most consultants take into account this an unrealistic demand, particularly within the quick time period, due to greater labor and manufacturing prices within the US. Estimates have instructed {that a} US-made iPhone would cost as much as $3,500.
That leaves costs for the subsequent iPhone in limbo. Trump’s administration known as the exemption listing “non permanent” in early April, saying that exemptions would finish in “a month or two.” Across the similar time, Trump stated that semiconductors, which energy tech merchandise, will finally be positioned in a unique “tariff bucket.” Nonetheless, no particulars have been shared concerning the timeline or anticipated tariff percentages.
With all of the reprieves appearing to be temporary, tariffs may nonetheless probably have an effect on costs by the point the rumored iPhone 17 is predicted to be launched.
If the unique reciprocal tariff pause expires, as an example, taxes on imports from India would rise from 10% to 26% beginning in July. If the 90-day pause for China expires, tariffs on that nation would bounce from 30% to 145% in August. Specialists level out {that a} tariff fee hike does not essentially imply an iPhone’s worth would enhance on the similar fee, however most anticipate at the very least some influence.
And the place the cellphone is assembled is barely a part of the tariff equation. Apple sources elements for the iPhone from dozens of different international locations, which may additionally probably have an effect on the value.
Based mostly on the place tariffs stand now, this is how a lot you can probably pay for the subsequent iPhone based mostly on present iPhone 16 costs. These are estimates and never pricing from Apple:
How a lot may tariffs have an effect on the value of an iPhone 17?*
| Present worth | Present 10% tariff on items from India | Potential 26% tariff for India | Present 30% tariff on items from China | Potential 145% tariff for China | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16E (128GB) | $599 | $659 | $830 | $779 | $1,614 |
| iPhone 16 (128GB) | $799 | $879 | $1,107 | $1,039 | $2,153 |
| iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | $899 | $989 | $1,246 | $1,169 | $2,423 |
| iPhone 16 Professional (128GB) | $999 | $1,099 | $1,385 | $1,299 | $2,692 |
| iPhone 16 Professional Max (256GB) | $1,199 | $1,319 | $1,662 | $1,559 | $3,231 |
| iPhone 16 Professional Max (1TB) | $1,599 | $1,759 | $2,216 | $2,079 | $4,309 |
*Trump’s newly proposed 25% Apple tariff on iPhones manufactured exterior the US may additional enhance the value of the subsequent iPhone. We’ll hold this story updated with the newest pricing info as we obtain it.
What else may trigger the brand new iPhone’s worth to extend?
Trump instantly criticized retailers like Walmart and Amazon once they instructed that tariffs may lead to greater costs, so it stands to purpose that Apple will not straight blame tariffs for potential worth hikes to keep away from a Trump tirade.
Moderately, Apple may attribute the value enhance to improved options and design prices. No matter tariffs, Apple has plans to raise iPhone prices this yr, The Wall Avenue Journal reported.
Specialists say Apple could also be overdue for a worth enhance in any case. It has been 5 years for the reason that fundamental iPhone mannequin elevated in worth, and every iteration of the iPhone typically improves on options from the final model.
My colleague Patrick Holland, CNET’s managing editor, has been reviewing telephones for CNET since 2016 and monitoring costs over time. He notes that the bottom iPhone mannequin hasn’t gone up in worth since 2020.
His analysis factors to the usual iPhone mannequin’s worth rising roughly each 5 years, sometimes between $50 and $150. Based mostly on this proof and the iPhone 16’s present worth of $799, we may anticipate the brand new iPhone to value someplace between $850 and $950.
What’s going to the iPhone 17 Air value?
Early rumors had the iPhone 17 Air topping the iPhone Pro in worth. Nonetheless, a March Bloomberg report instructed the cellphone may value round $900, just like the present iPhone 16 Plus’s price ticket. These estimates are based mostly on the present prices and should not embrace the potential influence tariffs may have on an ultrathin iPhone’s worth.
How the financial system may have an effect on iPhone costs
Uncertainty within the US financial system — partly as a result of aforementioned tariff turmoil — has left many cautious about what’s to come back. Whereas the latest settlement with China to pause tariffs helped the inventory market to largely recuperate from the dive it took after Trump’s Liberation Day, that reprieve presents solely non permanent aid.
Issues concerning the dangers of upper unemployment and better inflation have left the Federal Reserve in wait-and-see mode for lowering interest rates. Increased rates of interest may cause corporations like Apple to tug again on spending and funding. Mixed with greater tariffs, that pullback may probably result in world provide chain disruptions. Fewer iPhones obtainable out there may result in greater costs.
If inflation resurges, rising prices may drive Apple to extend the subsequent iPhone’s worth.
One tiny vibrant facet, in concept, is {that a} weakening financial system may drive Apple to carry off on elevating costs so it will probably keep aggressive. However that won’t supply a lot comfort should you’re fearful about spending cash due to a possible recession.
Will older iPhones value extra, too?
One approach to save on Apple products is to purchase final yr’s mannequin as an alternative of the latest launch. Nonetheless, if the brand new iPhone is dramatically dearer when it is launched, demand may enhance for the older fashions. That would result in worth hikes on older fashions, too.
The flip facet of that is that if the brand new iPhone’s costs rise and you’ve got an older iPhone, your outdated iPhone would additionally probably enhance in worth, Holland stated.
Buying and selling or selling a used iPhone may also help offset the price should you do resolve to purchase the brand new iPhone.
Different methods Apple may increase costs
Even when Apple decides to carry the subsequent iPhone’s worth regular, there are different methods for the tech large to recoup elevated prices.
Apple may probably offset the influence of tariffs by elevating the value on its companies — together with its music, information and information plans — in line with provide chain skilled Joe Hudicka.
“We’ll see these markups within the subscription companies first as a result of they’re going to seem smaller,” he stated. “Customers will nonetheless pay, simply not suddenly.”
Ought to we consider rumors and hypothesis about iPhone costs?
So severely, how a lot is a brand new iPhone going to value? The reality is, we won’t say with any certainty what the ultimate numbers will likely be. Our assessments are based mostly on ever-changing tariff insurance policies, previous pricing developments, rumors and leaks which might be generally based mostly on insider data. However till Apple releases the rumored iPhone 17, we are able to solely supply our greatest estimates for a way a lot the ultimate price ticket will likely be.
