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We’re solely two months away from Apple’s massive iPhone launch occasion. The iPhone 17 collection can be unveiled in September, hitting shops round 10 days after the launch occasion.
As with yearly, we have already got loads of details about Apple’s upcoming iPhone collection. We count on 4 iPhone 17 fashions this 12 months, together with the iPhone 17 Air, which is the mannequin I’m significantly enthusiastic about.
The iPhone 17 Air is Apple’s first ultra-thin iPhone mannequin, set to switch the Plus. The system ought to characteristic a display about as giant because the iPhone 16 Plus, however it’ll be thinner than all different iPhone 17 variants. That’s an thrilling prospect for me. After using the iPhone 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max for a number of months every, I desire a large-screen iPhone with out the majority.
The Air received’t be a Professional-level iPhone, however it doesn’t must be one to be an important iPhone for most individuals. It ought to, due to this fact, be extra inexpensive than the iPhone 17 Professional. I hope Apple will give the iPhone 17 Air a beginning worth of $899, identical to the Plus it replaces. However I’m additionally beginning to notice that’s wishful pondering. I believe a worth hike is inevitable, and sure, for the explanations you think.
Trump’s tariffs
Trump began his second tariff struggle in April, and that’s after I first instructed you that I feared the extra taxes on imports might ruin the iPhone 17 Air for me. I dwell in Europe, so the tariffs wouldn’t straight contribute to a worth hike within the area. Nevertheless, Apple would possibly need to distribute the additional taxes it is going to be paying within the U.S. worldwide, fairly than growing solely elevating costs at dwelling.
Apple mentioned throughout its earnings report for the March quarter that it is going to be paying $900 million in tariffs for merchandise aside from the iPhone, which is exempt. Since April, now we have seen Trump assault Apple greater than as soon as, and specifically the iPhone. Any further tariffs on the iPhone is likely to be handed on to the buyer.
Let’s additionally keep in mind that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo raised console costs in some markets prior to now few months in response to Trump’s tariffs. The Switch 2 might have been spared, however who is aware of how lengthy that can final. Trump simply threatened extra international locations with elevated tariffs which might be set to take impact on August 1.
Galaxy Z Fold 7 worth hike
This brings me to Samsung’s Unpacked press occasion on Wednesday. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 SE. They begin at $1,999, $1,099, and $899. Sure, even probably the most inexpensive foldable cellphone from Samsung continues to be fairly costly. Extra importantly, Samsung raised the value of the brand new Fold by $100.
Samsung raised the costs of the Z Fold 7 in different markets, together with the EU. It’s unclear whether or not Trump’s tariffs had been the explanation why, however I’m certain they had been a priority.
Rumors in early June prompt Samsung would only increase prices for its 2025 foldables in sure markets. This gave me hope that Apple would possibly use an analogous technique. Now that the Z Fold 7 is dearer in a few of Samsung’s largest markets, I worry Apple may even elevate costs for the iPhone 17 collection come September.
Curiously, Samsung didn’t enhance the Z Flip 7 worth anyplace this 12 months.
How a lot will the iPhone 17 Air value?
Regardless of rising inflation, which impacted all the things in Apple’s iPhone provide chain from manufacturing to supply prices, Apple has saved iPhone costs unchanged within the US. The iPhone 15 Professional Max is the one exception. Apple eradicated the 128GB ($1,099) from its lineup, so the most affordable mannequin you would purchase was the 256GB ($1,199) iPhone 15 Professional Max. It isn’t technically a worth hike, as that was the launch worth, however buying a 15 Professional Max continues to be dearer.
In Europe, iPhone costs rose for the iPhone 14 collection however dropped with the iPhone 15 collection. Forex fluctuations dictated these adjustments.
This 12 months, Apple is already rumored to lift iPhone costs. Even with out tariffs looming, a worth hike wouldn’t be stunning in spite of everything these years. However stories say Apple is afraid to hyperlink iPhone 17 worth hikes to Trump’s tariffs.
The very best state of affairs for the iPhone 17 Air is an $899 beginning worth that matches current iPhone Plus fashions. The iPhone 17 Professional would value $999 on this state of affairs. The distinction would make sense. The iPhone 17 Air may have a single-lens digital camera, a smaller battery, a much less highly effective processor, and 8GB of RAM.
However a Weibo leaker now paints a distinct image for the iPhone 17 Air, making it sound much more Professional than initially believed. The cellphone would possibly characteristic the 5-core GPU model of the A19 Professional chip. The iPhone 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max would get a 6-core GPU A19 Professional. All three telephones would characteristic 12GB of RAM.
If this rumor is correct, the iPhone 17 Air can’t probably match the iPhone 16 Plus beginning worth. The specs bump above would additionally give Apple an important excuse for elevating the value to $999. On this state of affairs, the iPhone 17 Professional must begin at $1,099. One solution to make this occur could be for Apple to eradicate the 128GB storage tier for the Professional.
Apple’s huge economies of scale would possibly enable it eat Trump’s tariffs whereas providing higher specs to iPhone patrons. That’s all hypothesis, in fact. Apple might all the time launch a $999 iPhone 17 Air that includes the bottom A19 chip and simply 8GB of RAM.
