The rumored iPhone 17 has attracted the attention of potential new features and upgrades, such as more memory and camera upgrades. As the expected release date approaches, the prospect of the ultra-thin iPhone will only increase excitement.
But, of all the rumors about the new iPhone, one of the most enduring iPhones is probably: How much does it cost?
There are many factors that could impact the rumored pricing of the iPhone 17, including tariffs, production costs and the overall health of the U.S. economy.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
We won't know the exact price of the next iPhone until the release of that iPhone is expected to be in September. However, we've looked at all the leaks, rumors and predictions about the price and we've found ways to help you save on your new iPhone.
How tariffs affect the cost of the next iPhone
The higher countdown is currently being suspended in the ongoing tariffs by President Donald Trump. But Trump entered social media on Friday, threatening 25% tariffs on all iPhones made outside the U.S. Although there is no such tariff promotion timeline, the current baseline tariffs for all imported goods and the benchmark tariffs for goods from China are still 10%, and Apple still produces most of its products. These rates may also start to rise when the initial tariff suspension expires, which could lead to price increases for everything – including the rumored iPhone 17.
Apple seems to have escaped many of the initial tariff impacts. It stores phones before the tariffs come into effect, and Trump's list of exemptions includes many phones, laptops and other electronic products made by Apple.
The tech giant has also shifted some production of U.S. iPhones from China to India, with current tariff rates low. However, Trump called on Apple CEO Tim Cook to transfer iPhone production to the United States. Most experts believe this is an unrealistic demand, especially in the short term, due to higher labor and production costs in the United States. Estimates show that the price of US iPhones is as high as $3,500.
This leaves the price of the next iPhone in a dilemma. The Trump administration called the exemption list “temporary” in early April, saying the exemption would end in “one or two.” At about the same time, Trump said that semiconductors of power technology products will eventually be placed in different “tariff barrels.” However, no details on the timetable or expected tariff percentage have been shared.
With all the sufferings seemingly temporary, tariffs may still affect prices when rumors of the iPhone 17 being released.
For example, if the initial mutual tariff suspension expires, taxes from India will rise from 10% to 26% starting in July. If China's 90-day pause expires, the country's tariffs will jump from 30% in August to 145%. Experts point out that tariff rates don't necessarily mean that iPhone prices will rise at the same rate, but most people expect at least some impact.
Where the phone is assembled is only part of the tariff equation. Apple-derived iPhone components come from dozens of other countries, which may also affect prices.
Based on where the tariffs are now, this is how much you may pay for the next iPhone based on the current iPhone 16 price. These are estimates, not Apple's prices:
How much does tariffs affect the price of iPhone 17?
| Current Price | Current 10% tariff on Indian goods | Potential India's 26% tariff | Current 30% tariff on Chinese goods | Potential Chinese tariffs of 145% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Pro (128GB) | $999 | $1,099 | $1,385 | $1,299 | $2,692 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) | $1,199 | $1,319 | $1,662 | $1,559 | $3,231 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) | $1,599 | $1,759 | $2,216 | $2,079 | $4,309 |
*The newly proposed 25% Apple tariff on iPhones made outside the U.S. could further raise the price of the next iPhone. We will keep the latest stories as we receive the latest pricing information.
What else could lead to a price increase for new iPhones?
Trump immediately criticized retailers like Walmart and Amazon, who suggested that tariffs could lead to higher prices, so there is reason to think that Apple would not blame the tariffs directly to avoid Trump's Tilard.
Instead, Apple can attribute the price increase to improved features and design costs. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple plans to raise iPhone prices this year regardless of tariffs.
Experts say Apple may have to overdue increase anyway. It's been five years since the base iPhone model has risen, and every iteration of the iPhone usually improves its features in the previous version.
My colleague Patrick Holland, executive editor of CNET, has been reviewing CNET's phone calls since 2016 and tracking prices for years. He noted that the price of basic iPhone models has not increased since 2020.
His research shows that the price of standard iPhone models is rising about every five years, usually between $50 and $150. Based on this evidence and the current price of the iPhone 16 is $799, we can expect the price of a new iPhone to be between $850 and $950.
How much does the iPhone 17 cost in the air?
Early rumors put the iPhone 17 Air at a high price. However, a March Bloomberg report suggests that the phone costs about $900, similar to the current iPhone 16 Plus price tag. These estimates are based on current costs and may not include the potential impact of tariffs on ultra-thin iPhone prices.
How the economy affects iPhone prices
The uncertainty in the U.S. economy – partly due to the tariff turmoil mentioned above – is wary of what is about to happen. While a recent agreement with China to suspend tariffs helped stocks recover mostly from Trump’s liberation day dive, the probation provided only temporary relief.
People are worried about higher unemployment risks and higher inflation keep the Fed waiting in a way that lowers interest rates. Higher interest rates may cause companies such as Apple to withdraw spending and investments. Coupled with higher tariffs, this pullback could lead to disruptions in global supply chains. Fewer iPhones available on the market may lead to higher prices.
If inflation returns, rising costs could force Apple to raise the price of its next iPhone.
In theory, a small bright side is that economic changes may force Apple to delay raising prices in order to remain competitive. But if you are worried about spending money due to a potential recession, that may not provide much comfort.
Will the cost of an older iPhone be higher?
One way to save on Apple products is to buy last year's model, not the latest version. However, if the new iPhone is expensive when it is released, demand may increase for older models. This could also lead to higher prices on older models.
On the other hand, if the price of a new iPhone goes up and you have an older iPhone, your old iPhone may also add value.
If you decide to buy a new iPhone, trading or selling a used iPhone can offset the cost.
Other ways Apple can increase prices
Even if Apple decides to keep the price of the next iPhone stable, there are other ways for tech giants to increase costs.
According to supply chain expert Joe Hudicka, Apple may offset the impact of tariffs by raising prices of its services, including its music, news and data plans.
“We will see these markers first in the subscription service because they will look smaller,” he said. “Consumers will still pay, just once.”
Should we believe rumors and speculation about iPhone prices?
So, how much does a new iPhone cost? The truth is, we can't say for sure what the final number is. Our assessment is based on changing tariff policies, past pricing trends, rumors and leaks, which are sometimes based on internal knowledge. But before Apple released the rumored iPhone 17, we can only provide the best estimate for the final price.
