Apple may be on the verge of increasing prices for some of its top-selling smartphones. For some time, there have been whispers about potential price hikes, and a recent report suggests that these changes could occur sooner than expected. Interestingly, Apple is reportedly refraining from attributing these adjustments to tariffs—typically a common rationale for price increases in the tech industry. Here’s why that might be the case.
The information originates from the Wall Street Journal, which indicates that Apple is contemplating raising prices for its upcoming fall lineup, specifically the iPhone 17. This rumor aligns with several earlier reports of a similar nature, making the talk of price increases feel increasingly plausible. However, confirmation will ultimately come from Apple itself.
Price increases are nothing particularly shocking, especially given the situation surrounding tariffs on imports from China. Although the U.S. and China have reportedly reached a temporary agreement to suspend many of these tariffs, the Wall Street Journal notes that the existing 20% tariff on Chinese imports still applies to products from Apple. A significant portion of the manufacturing still occurs in China, particularly for high-end models. While President Trump has exempted smartphones from a separate tariff slated to fall from 125% to 10% under the new agreement, the overall situation remains precarious.
Despite the tariffs potentially contributing to these price hikes, Apple is said to be leaning on other factors to justify the increases. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company intends to promote the price hikes as necessary due to new features and design updates.
Apple also has manufacturing facilities in India, although the high-end Pro and Pro Max models are likely still produced in China. This suggests that tariffs could still play a role in price determination. The tech giant is working to transfer more production to India, but these transitions take considerable time to implement. On the design front, Apple is expected to unveil a slimmer version of the iPhone in its upcoming release, in addition to various updates across other models.
Until Apple officially addresses potential price increases, all scenarios remain speculative. However, the information from the Wall Street Journal makes it evident that iPhones might see a price increase as early as this year, a factor worth considering for anyone thinking about upgrading their device.
