Apple raised the price of all previous-generation iPhone smartphones still on sale by $100 during its September Surprise and shine presentation. The decision took effect as Apple introduced the iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro to its mobile catalog.
Cost adjustments across previous smartphone releases
Apple implemented the price revisions immediately.
Buyers seeking the standard iPhone 16 now face an entry cost of $799, compared to the $699 price tag attached to the handset prior to the presentation. The iPhone 17E equipped with 256GB of storage increased to $699 from its original launch rate of $599. The standard iPhone 17 with 256GB of storage now sells for $899 instead of $799.
Higher tags on intermediate and thin models
The upward adjustment reached the newly repositioned iPhone Air, which jumped to $1,099 after previously retailing at $999, as Apple shifted its entire portfolio upward while preparing shelf space for incoming flagship models across all official channels. Customers face higher costs on older units.
- iPhone 16: increased from $699 to $799
- iPhone 17E with 256GB: increased from $599 to $699
- iPhone 17 with 256GB: increased from $799 to $899
- iPhone Air: increased from $999 to $1,099
Missing standard tier at the September keynote
Apple omitted the base iPhone 18 from the September stage, centering the hardware launch on its highest-end devices that begin at $1,199.
Entry price shifts in the mobile lineup
Consumers targeting more affordable options in the ecosystem now pay higher rates than they did prior to the announcements. The cheapest available older model from the catalog remains the iPhone 17E at $699.