We’re solely two months away from Apple’s massive iPhone launch occasion. The iPhone 17 sequence will likely be unveiled in September, hitting shops round 10 days after the launch occasion.
As with yearly, we have already got loads of details about Apple’s upcoming iPhone sequence. We count on 4 iPhone 17 fashions this 12 months, together with the iPhone 17 Air, which is the mannequin I’m notably enthusiastic about.
The iPhone 17 Air is Apple’s first ultra-thin iPhone mannequin, set to interchange the Plus. The gadget ought to characteristic a display about as giant because the iPhone 16 Plus, however it’ll be thinner than all different iPhone 17 variants. That’s an thrilling prospect for me. After utilizing the iPhone 16 Plus and 16 Professional Max for a number of months every, I desire a large-screen iPhone with out the majority.
The Air gained’t be a Professional-level iPhone, however it doesn’t must be one to be a fantastic iPhone for most individuals. It ought to, due to this fact, be extra reasonably priced than the iPhone 17 Professional. I hope Apple will give the iPhone 17 Air a beginning worth of $899, similar to the Plus it replaces. However I’m additionally beginning to understand that’s wishful pondering. I believe a worth hike is inevitable, and sure, for the explanations you observed.
Trump’s tariffs
Trump began his second tariff conflict in April, and that’s after I first advised you that I feared the additional taxes on imports would possibly smash the iPhone 17 Air for me. I stay in Europe, so the tariffs wouldn’t straight contribute to a worth hike within the area. Nonetheless, Apple would possibly wish to distribute the additional taxes it is going to be paying within the U.S. worldwide, moderately than growing solely elevating costs at house.
Apple mentioned throughout its earnings report for the March quarter that it is going to be paying $900 million in tariffs for merchandise aside from the iPhone, which is exempt. Since April, we now have seen Trump assault Apple greater than as soon as, and particularly the iPhone. Any additional tariffs on the iPhone may be handed on to the buyer.
Let’s additionally do not forget that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo raised console costs in some markets prior to now few months in response to Trump’s tariffs. The Change 2 might need been spared, however who is aware of how lengthy that can final. Trump simply threatened extra nations with elevated tariffs which are set to take impact on August 1.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 worth hike
This brings me to Samsung’s Unpacked press occasion on Wednesday. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 SE. They begin at $1,999, $1,099, and $899. Sure, even probably the most reasonably priced foldable cellphone from Samsung continues to be moderately costly. Extra importantly, Samsung raised the worth of the brand new Fold by $100.
Samsung raised the costs of the Z Fold 7 in different markets, together with the EU. It’s unclear whether or not Trump’s tariffs have been the explanation why, however I’m positive they have been a priority.
Rumors in early June urged Samsung would solely enhance costs for its 2025 foldables in sure markets. This gave me hope that Apple would possibly use an identical technique. Now that the Z Fold 7 is dearer in a few of Samsung’s greatest markets, I worry Apple may even increase costs for the iPhone 17 sequence come September.
Apparently, Samsung didn’t enhance the Z Flip 7 worth wherever this 12 months.
How a lot will the iPhone 17 Air value?
Regardless of rising inflation, which impacted every thing in Apple’s iPhone provide chain from manufacturing to supply prices, Apple has stored iPhone costs unchanged within the US. The iPhone 15 Professional Max is the one exception. Apple eradicated the 128GB ($1,099) from its lineup, so the most affordable mannequin you could possibly purchase was the 256GB ($1,199) iPhone 15 Professional Max. It isn’t technically a worth hike, as that was the launch worth, however buying a 15 Professional Max continues to be dearer.
In Europe, iPhone costs rose for the iPhone 14 sequence however dropped with the iPhone 15 sequence. Foreign money fluctuations dictated these adjustments.
This 12 months, Apple is already rumored to lift iPhone costs. Even with out tariffs looming, a worth hike wouldn’t be stunning in any case these years. However studies say Apple is afraid to hyperlink iPhone 17 worth hikes to Trump’s tariffs.
The most effective state of affairs for the iPhone 17 Air is an $899 beginning worth that matches current iPhone Plus fashions. The iPhone 17 Professional would value $999 on this state of affairs. The distinction would make sense. The iPhone 17 Air can have a single-lens digital camera, a smaller battery, a much less highly effective processor, and 8GB of RAM.
However a Weibo leaker now paints a special image for the iPhone 17 Air, making it sound much more Professional than initially believed. The cellphone would possibly characteristic the 5-core GPU model of the A19 Professional chip. The iPhone 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max would get a 6-core GPU A19 Professional. All three telephones would characteristic 12GB of RAM.
If this rumor is correct, the iPhone 17 Air can’t probably match the iPhone 16 Plus beginning worth. The specs bump above would additionally give Apple a fantastic excuse for elevating the worth to $999. On this state of affairs, the iPhone 17 Professional must begin at $1,099. One technique to make this occur could be for Apple to get rid of the 128GB storage tier for the Professional.
Apple’s huge economies of scale would possibly permit it eat Trump’s tariffs whereas providing higher specs to iPhone consumers. That’s all hypothesis, after all. Apple may all the time launch a $999 iPhone 17 Air that includes the bottom A19 chip and simply 8GB of RAM.
