This week marked the launch of Apple’s iPhone 16e, which came with several unexpected developments, particularly regarding pricing. Unfortunately, this may just be the beginning of more significant price adjustments in the iPhone range this year.
iPhone SE’s successor has lost its defining trait: affordability
Leading up to Apple’s announcement this week, expectations for the new iPhone were quite clear.
Numerous reports had accurately outlined the specifications: A18 chip, 8GB of RAM, an iPhone 14-inspired design featuring Face ID, support for Apple Intelligence, USB-C, and more.
The new designation—iPhone 16e—had also been leaked beforehand, though there was still considerable doubt surrounding this change.
While we anticipated a successor to the iPhone SE, the results fell short of that expectation. The name change itself isn’t the primary issue; rather, it is the pricing that stands out.
- iPhone SE: $429
- iPhone 16e: $599
That price point no longer classifies it as a ‘budget’ smartphone.
Although hints of a price increase had circulated, they were predominantly estimating a starting cost of $499.
Apple’s choice to set the initial price at $599 suggests we should anticipate further pricing shifts in the near future.
Significant iPhone pricing adjustments may be on the horizon
Prior to the iPhone 16e’s launch, there were multiple indications that Apple intended to adjust its iPhone pricing this fall.
For starters, a price increase had been anticipated for a couple of years, mainly due to inflation, but Apple’s pricing structure had remained stable.
More crucially, the introduction of the new iPhone 17 Air provides a solid basis for a potential price change.
Despite the 17 Air set to replace the Plus model in Apple’s lineup, it’s been evident for some time that this device will have sufficient demand to warrant a higher price.
Initial rumors indicated that the 17 Air might even exceed the prices of Apple’s Pro models. More recent reports have contradicted those forecasts; however, the anticipated popularity of this new model provides strong reason for a pricing reevaluation.
Currently, Apple’s lineup includes:
- iPhone 16e: $599
- iPhone 15: $699
- iPhone 15 Plus: $799
- iPhone 16: $799
- iPhone 16 Plus: $899
- iPhone 16 Pro: $999
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199
Until this week, there was an entry-level iPhone SE priced at $429.
Now that the most economical iPhone starts at $599, it seems likely that the rest of the lineup will also see upward adjustments.
Anticipated pricing for the iPhone 17 lineup
As Apple prepares to launch its four new iPhone 17 models this fall, I anticipate substantial pricing changes.
Some projections include:
- iPhone 16e: $599
- iPhone 16: $749
- iPhone 16 Plus: $849
- iPhone 17: $899
- iPhone 17 Air: $999
- iPhone 17 Pro: $1,099
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,299
Essentially, nearly every model could see a price increase of up to $100. The new 17 Air is expected to fill the $999 position previously occupied by the Pro models, pushing those prices into uncharted territory.
While the iPhone 16e isn’t the sole reason for my belief in these pricing changes, I attribute much of it to the anticipated popularity of the iPhone 17 Air and the need for it to command a higher price. However, the introduction of the 16e serves as the latest sign that significant changes are imminent in the pricing structure.
Do you believe Apple’s iPhone lineup will increase in cost? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
