As Apple prepares to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup in the fall of 2025, analysts are now warning of potential price hikes, and while some point to a 50 percent uptick, most anticipate a more modest 4 to 6 percent rise. The underlying reason for the price increase will be the persistent 20 percent tariff on iPhone models assembled in China, an expense that Apple has so far been absorbing. It appears that the company is now planning to pass on the tax to the customer and increase the price of the higher-end models by $50.
Analysts expect Apple to raise iPhone 17 prices, but not every model will be affected equally
If Apple does decide to increase the price of the iPhone this year, it is unlikely that the company will directly blame it on tariff policies. Instead, sources familiar with the matter suggest that the company will highlight the new features, design refinements, and incremental innovations to justify the higher cost. This will frame the change as a value upgrade rather than price gouging. Moreover, the company will avoid politicizing the issue and will intend to keep away from it to obscure itself from further dilemmas. We have previously seen how the White House labeled Amazon's reaction to tariff costs as "a hostile act," prompting the company to retract its statement and claims.
The Cupertino giant is working to soften the tariff blow by transitioning production from China to India, with plans to supply most units to the United States by 2026. However, these plans have not been quite effective as of yet, as the company still relies on China for higher-end Pro models of the devices due to advanced technology and expertise. Additionally, the company is also negotiating costs with suppliers ranging from OLED screens to premium camera modules, but even if the talks are successful, it would still not be enough to offset the impact of the tariffs.
Jefferies expects a $50 price increase for iPhone 17 Slim/P/PM models to offset rising component costs and China tariffs. Other potential cost pressures from India and sector tariffs are not yet included.
Analysts are now anticipating a $50 price increase for most iPhone 17 models, except for the base variant, which is expected to start at the same $799 price tag. The price hike will mark a significant but measured shift in Apple's pricing strategy, and most analysts predict a 4 to 6 percent increase. The higher price will be visible on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which are predominantly manufactured in China, and thus exposed to the 20 percent tariff. Apple possibly could have different plans for the end user, so be sure to take the news with a grain of salt. However, a $50 price hike seems likely and sits at the base level when we talk about the amount of tariffs that have been imposed on Apple. Do you think Apple will increase the price of the higher-end iPhone models?
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
