Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 lineup is expected to cost more than the iPhone 16 series in the U.S., with analysts projecting price increases between $50 and $100. Jeff Pu from GF Securities has stated that higher U.S. tariffs on devices imported from China, along with rising component costs, are likely to push Apple toward a price adjustment. Models imported from India may avoid these tariffs, but most iPhones are still assembled in China.
Another report from Jefferies supports this forecast, suggesting that while the standard iPhone 17 may keep its $799 starting price, the iPhone 17 Air, Pro, and Pro Max could each see a $50 increase. This would put the Air at around $949, the Pro at $1,049, and the Pro Max at $1,249. These estimates align with Apple’s strategy of absorbing some costs on entry models while passing on increases to higher-end versions.
To balance the potential price rise, Apple is rumored to be increasing the base storage on Pro models from 128GB to 256GB. This would align the Pro with the Pro Max’s current base configuration and offer added value to offset the extra cost. Storage upgrades can make higher-tier models more appealing, especially to users who hold onto their devices for several years.
If implemented, this would be the first notable U.S. price increase for the iPhone in several years. Apple may pair the higher pricing with significant hardware and software enhancements, including the A19 chip, upgraded camera systems, expanded use of ProMotion displays, and improvements to battery efficiency.
The iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in September, following Apple’s usual launch timeline. With tariffs and production costs driving these changes, buyers planning to upgrade should be prepared for slightly higher prices, particularly for the Pro and Pro Max models. Whether the added features and storage upgrades will be enough to justify the increase will be decided once Apple makes the official announcement.
