Apple has raised the prices of several older iPhone models in the United States and international markets following the release of the iPhone 18 series, according to reports from Gizmochina and Warta Ekonomi. Rather than receiving the traditional generation-based price cut, devices including the iPhone 16, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 lines saw direct retail price increases across multiple regions.
US Price Hikes for Previous-Generation iPhones
According to Gizmochina, baseline prices for older iPhone models in the United States increased by roughly $100 across the board. The base price for the iPhone 17 rose to $899, while the iPhone 17e climbed to $699. Additionally, the iPhone Air increased to 1.099 dolar AS, and the 128GB variant of the iPhone 16 adjusted to $799. These changes took effect as Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo, while simultaneously discontinuing direct sales of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Component Shortages and Global Price Adjustments
According to Warta Ekonomi, the price increases extended significantly into international markets like India, where certain older models jumped by as much as 41 percent within hours of the latest launch. Indian retail tracking showed the iPhone Air reaching up to 224,900 rupee, while the starting price for the iPhone 17 hit 99,900 rupee. Both Gizmochina and Warta Ekonomi attribute these adjustments to rising component expenses, specifically the constrained supply of memory and storage chips driven by intense global demand from artificial intelligence data centers.
Pro Tip: Buyers looking to avoid these generation-wide price bumps can still find older Apple devices at lower rates through carrier-specific promotions, trade-in programs, and authorized cellular operator deals, as noted by Gizmochina.
Global Price Comparison: US vs. India
The extent of the post-launch pricing shift varies sharply between regions. Below is a comparison of baseline prices for affected models in the United States and India based on reports from Gizmochina and Warta Ekonomi:
- iPhone Air: $1,099 in the United States; up to 149.900 rupee in India.
- iPhone 17: $899 in the United States; 99,900 rupee in India.
- iPhone 17e: $699 in the United States; 79,900 rupee in India.
- iPhone 16 (Base/128GB): $799 in the United States; 89,900 rupee in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Apple drop the prices of older iPhones after launching the iPhone 18?
No. According to Gizmochina and Warta Ekonomi, Apple increased the prices of older models like the iPhone 16, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 by roughly $100 in the US and up to 41 percent in India.
Why are older iPhone prices going up?
Reports attribute the increases to tight supplies of memory and storage chips caused by heavy demand from artificial intelligence data centers.
Are there ways to get older iPhones cheaper despite the price hikes?
Yes, customers can still access lower prices by utilizing carrier deals and official trade-in programs.
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