New Model Launched, Old iPhone Gets a Price Hike

After Apple unveiled its new iPhone models, attention turned to the new devices, but the company's unexpected pricing move in the United States drew notice. Apple raised the starting prices of some older iPhone models that had not received any hardware updates and remained on sale by $100 each.

In a reversal of the company's usual pricing policy from previous years, the older models that were expected to drop in price after the launch of the new iPhones have instead become more expensive.

A $100 Increase for Four iPhone Models

According to the change on Apple's U.S. online store, the starting price of the iPhone 17e rose from $599 to $699, and the iPhone 16's price increased from $699 to $799.

While the iPhone 17's starting price climbed from $799 to $899, the iPhone Air rose from $999 to $1,099, pushing its base price above the $1,000 threshold.

The New iPhone Arrived, the Old One Didn't Get Cheaper

One of the most striking aspects of the price change was Apple's past pricing policy. When the company launched new‑generation iPhones, it typically positioned earlier models as more affordable alternatives.

This time the picture turned upside down. With the introduction of the new models, the prices of the four remaining older iPhone models were raised instead of being lowered.

Farewell to the iPhone 17 Pro Series

Apple not only changed the prices but also reorganized its iPhone lineup. After the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple discontinued direct sales of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The starting price of the new iPhone 18 Pro was announced at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max was set at $1,299. Thus, the new Pro models are positioned with a $100 higher starting price than their predecessors.

Artificial Intelligence's Impact on Price Increases

Cost pressure in the technology sector is also cited as one of the possible reasons behind price increases. In particular, massive investments in artificial‑intelligence infrastructure and data centers are boosting global demand for memory and storage chips.

The pressure that rising demand places on the supply chain also affects technology companies' hardware costs. Consequently, the increasing costs of memory and storage components are reflected in smartphone prices.

iPhone Price Balance Has Changed in the U.S.

With the latest adjustments, Apple's iPhone price scale in the U.S. has also shifted significantly. Among the models on sale, the entry‑level iPhone 17e starts at $699, while the company's foldable iPhone Duo reaches up to $1,999.

Apple's decision to raise prices on older devices while unveiling new models stands out as a notable shift for U.S. consumers who plan to opt for previous generations instead of buying a new iPhone.