This week, the launch of Apple’s iPhone 16e brought several unexpected developments, particularly regarding its pricing. Sadly, this might not be the final significant price adjustment we see for the iPhone this year.
iPhone SE’s successor has sacrificed its hallmark: affordability
In anticipation of this week’s Apple announcement, we had a general sense of what to expect from the upcoming iPhone model.
Numerous reports had accurately detailed the specifications: A18 chip, 8GB of RAM, a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14 featuring Face ID, support for Apple Intelligence, USB-C, among others.
Even the new label—iPhone 16e—had been leaked beforehand, though doubts regarding this change remained prevalent.
We anticipated an upgraded model to the iPhone SE, but it was not quite what we expected. While the change in name isn’t solely to blame, the price point certainly is.
- iPhone SE: $429
- iPhone 16e: $599
This no longer constitutes a ‘budget’ smartphone.
While rumors had hinted at a possible price change, most suggested a starting price of around $499.
Apple’s choice to set the price at $599 indicates that we may see further price adjustments in the future.
Potential massive shake-up in iPhone pricing
Prior to the debut of the iPhone 16e, there were additional indications that Apple might be re-evaluating its iPhone pricing this fall.
For starters, a price increase has been on the horizon for a couple of years now, largely due to inflation, yet Apple has maintained steady prices until now.
More critically, the introduction of the new iPhone 17 Air suggests that a pricing change might be necessary.
Despite the 17 Air taking the place of the Plus model in Apple’s offerings, it’s been evident for some time that this device will attract enough demand to warrant a higher price.
Initially, rumors indicated that the 17 Air might surpass even Apple’s Pro models in terms of pricing. However, recent reports have refuted those claims. Nevertheless, the anticipated popularity of this new model still serves as a compelling argument for a pricing shift.
Currently, Apple’s lineup appears as follows:
- iPhone 16e: $599
- iPhone 15: $699
- iPhone 15 Plus: $799
- iPhone 16: $799
- iPhone 16 Plus: $899
- iPhone 16 Pro: $999
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199
Until now, there was a $429 iPhone SE model serving as the entry-level device.
Now, with the cheapest iPhone priced at $599, it is likely that the rest of the lineup will also see price increases.
Expected pricing for the iPhone 17
I expect major price changes when Apple reveals its four new flagship iPhone 17 models this fall.
Potential pricing might be as follows:
- iPhone 16e: $599
- iPhone 16: $749
- iPhone 16 Plus: $849
- iPhone 17: $899
- iPhone 17 Air: $999
- iPhone 17 Pro: $1,099
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,299
Effectively, every model could see an increase of up to $100. The new 17 Air is anticipated to take over the Pro model’s $999 position, pushing the Pro offerings to unprecedented levels.
While the iPhone 16e isn’t solely responsible for my belief in these changes, I attribute more of the potential shifts to the expected popularity of the iPhone 17 Air and its necessity for a higher price point. Nevertheless, the 16e represents the latest sign that pricing adjustments are finally on the horizon.
Do you foresee an increase in the pricing of Apple’s iPhone lineup? Share your thoughts in the comments.
