Apple quietly raises prices of older iPhones by $100
While Apple touted stable pricing for its newest watches, the cost of previous-generation iPhones has simultaneously increased, a move driven by global memory chip shortages.
During its recent product event, Apple emphasized that its new Apple Watch models would not suffer from price increases. However, this reassurance masked a significant change in the rest of its lineup. The company has raised the cost of all previous-generation iPhones it still sells by $100, a move that effectively erases the discounts available to buyers of older models.
As reported by Engadget, this adjustment impacts popular devices like the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 family. For consumers, this means that upgrading to a slightly older model no longer offers the same financial saving as it did just months ago, shifting the value proposition back toward the newest releases.
Memory chip costs drive the increase
The primary driver behind this pricing shift is a global shortage of RAM, often referred to in industry circles as the 'RAMageddon' of 2026. As the cost of memory components rises, manufacturers face higher production expenses. Apple has chosen to pass these costs on to consumers rather than absorb them, resulting in higher retail prices for devices that rely heavily on onboard storage and memory.
This trend highlights a broader challenge in the tech industry where component scarcity directly influences consumer pricing. For buyers, the catch is that the traditional strategy of purchasing a previous-generation phone for better value is becoming less effective. The price gap between the newest and older models has narrowed significantly, reducing the incentive to choose an older device.
Specific price changes for iPhone models
The price hikes are consistent across the board for the affected devices. The iPhone 16, which recently saw a discount, now starts at $799, returning to its original launch price from two years ago. Similarly, the entry-level iPhone 17E has increased from $599 to $699, while the standard iPhone 17 with 256GB of storage now costs $899 instead of $799.
Even the premium iPhone Air is not exempt, with its starting price jumping to $1,099 from $999. These adjustments ensure that the entire iPhone lineup maintains a steeper price curve, making the newest models appear more competitively priced relative to their predecessors.
AirPods remain unaffected by the hike
Not all Apple products are subject to this increase. The AirPods Pro 3, for instance, remain at their previous price of $249. This exception likely stems from the fact that these audio devices do not contain the same amount of expensive onboard memory as the smartphones. Consequently, they are less vulnerable to the specific supply chain issues affecting phone production.
For consumers, this distinction is important when considering an upgrade. While the cost of a new phone may be higher than expected, the price of compatible accessories remains stable. However, the overall cost of refreshing a tech setup with both a new iPhone and new earbuds will likely be higher than it was at the start of the year.
