Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is shaping up to be more expensive, but if you’re going for the Pro model, you might finally get double the base storage for your money.
A Small Price Bump, A Bigger Storage Bump
According to leaker Setsuna Digital, Apple is preparing a $50 price increase across much of the iPhone 17 lineup. That lines up with earlier reports from analysts and other leakers, who’ve said the iPhone 17 will cost more than the iPhone 16 due to U.S. tariffs on China-made products.
Apple has been shifting more iPhone production to India, but it’s unlikely that all U.S. launch units could come from there this year. Initially, Apple absorbed the extra cost, reportedly taking a $900 million hit in Q2, but it looks like at least some of that will now be passed on to buyers.
Here’s where the upside comes in: the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to start at 256GB of storage instead of the current 128GB. That’s about a $100 upgrade in value compared to today’s lineup.
Why This Is A Big Thing for Pro Buyers
Right now, only the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at 256GB, while the smaller iPhone 16 Pro still ships with 128GB unless you pay more. This rumored change would mean the smaller Pro gets the same starting capacity as the Max.
It’s a move similar to what Apple did in 2023 with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, when it dropped the 128GB option entirely, forcing buyers to step up to 256GB.
There’s no word yet on whether the Pro Max will also get a bump, possibly to 512GB, but that seems unlikely.
Expected Pricing
If current reports hold true, here’s how the U.S. lineup could look this fall:
- iPhone 17 – $799
- iPhone 17 Air – $949
- iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) – $1,049
- iPhone 17 Pro Max – $1,249
One question mark is the iPhone 17 Air. Priced just $100 less than the Pro, the slimmer design might not be enough to lure buyers away from the more powerful option.
The takeaway
A price hike on Apple’s flagship phone is never welcome news, but for Pro buyers, getting 256GB by default might take some of the sting out of it. With the iPhone 17 lineup expected in September, we won’t have to wait long to see if Apple’s storage strategy, and its pricing, actually match the leaks.
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