Apple has raised prices across its iPhone lineup, adding a $100 bump to legacy models like the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 while breaking from its traditional practice of discounting older hardware, according to reports from Mashable.
Legacy iPhone Prices Rise Following Hardware Event
Historically, the release of a new generation has brought price cuts on older devices to attract budget-conscious buyers. According to Mashable, that pattern shifted when Apple quietly updated its storefront alongside the announcement of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Duo. Instead of receiving a discount, multiple past models jumped by $100.
The base iPhone 16 rose back to $799, reversing a previous $100 price cut it received when the iPhone 17 launched, according to Mashable. The budget-focused iPhone 17e moved from $599 to $699, the standard iPhone 17 climbed from $799 to $899, and the slim iPhone Air increased from $999 to $1,099, based on data from Mashable. According to Mashable, international markets face even steeper adjustments, with regional bumps exceeding 20 percent in places like India.
New Flagship Pricing and Discontinued Models
According to Mashable, the newly introduced iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max start at $1,199 and $1,299 respectively, marking a $100 increase over the launch prices of the previous year’s Pro lineup. Meanwhile, Mashable reports that Apple’s first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, debuts at a starting price of $1,999 before scaling up for higher storage tiers.
To streamline the updated catalog, Apple quietly discontinued the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max lines, along with the iPhone 16 Plus, according to Gizmodo.
Memory Chip Shortages Drive Component Costs Up
The price adjustments stem from a global shortage of memory and storage chips driven by the artificial intelligence boom, according to Mashable. As tech firms build out massive AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturers have shifted factory capacity away from consumer-grade RAM and flash storage toward enterprise server components, leaving companies competing for limited supplies.
Bloomberg reported last month that Apple had already applied similar price increases to other hardware lines, including the iPad Air, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio.
While some commentators expected Apple to absorb the higher manufacturing costs to keep the iPhone 18 Pro starting at $1,099, the tech giant chose to protect its profit margins, according to Mashable. Apple reported a net quarterly profit of $29.8 billion in its Q3 2026 results, with net iPhone sales climbing 22 percent to $54.25 billion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Apple raise the prices of older iPhones?
According to Mashable, the price increases are driven by a global shortage of memory and storage chips caused by high demand for artificial intelligence data center infrastructure.
How much more do legacy iPhones cost now?
Models like the iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, and iPhone Air have each increased by $100 compared to their previous reduced prices or launch rates, according to Mashable.
Did Apple change the prices of its newest Pro models?
Yes. According to Mashable, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max start at $1,199 and $1,299, respectively, which is $100 more expensive than last year’s Pro models at launch.
What do you think of Apple’s unexpected price hikes on older hardware? Join the discussion in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest tech updates.
Related reading