Is the iPhone 17 release imminent? Will there be an escalation in cost?

Apple is set to unveil its latest smartphone lineup, the iPhone 17, at an event scheduled for September 9. The event is expected to showcase not only the new iPhones but also new Apple Watches and the next generation of AirPods Pro earbuds.

According to rumours and leaks, the iPhone 17 lineup will consist of four models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Plus, iPhone 17 Pro, and a new addition, the iPhone 17 Air.

Pricing and Storage

The iPhone 17 Air is predicted to cost between €899 and €949, similar to the price of the iPhone 16 Plus. Conversely, the iPhone 17 prices may be affected by tariffs, especially since it is mostly manufactured in China and India where high tariffs have been levied.

Customers can expect the iPhone 17 Air to have prices ranging from approximately €1,199 for 256 GB to €1,699 for 1 TB of storage. Interestingly, there will be no 128 GB option available, and this represents a higher starting price compared to previous base models, reflecting Apple's updated storage configurations.

On the other hand, the cost of the iPhone 17 Pro is rumoured to increase by €50 due to an increase in base storage to 256GB. JP Morgan's leaked investor note suggests that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Plus, and iPhone 17 Pro Max could maintain their current prices.

Design and Features

The iPhone 17 Air is rumoured to be an ultra-thin model set to debut this year. Details about the other models' designs and features are still scarce, but we can expect Apple to continue its tradition of innovation and quality.

Tariff Concerns

Tariff concerns have been a hot topic, with President Donald Trump calling out Apple and its CEO Tim Cook by name over the company's overseas manufacturing. However, if these predictions are accurate, the iPhone 17 lineup will be largely protected from tariff price hikes.

Apple has already been sheltered from the major China tariffs, and it was exempt from a 100 percent semiconductor import tariff after it announced a $100 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing.

Apple reported a surprisingly strong quarter last month, despite tariff threats, indicating the company's resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.

Price History

Over the years, Apple has kept the price increase of iPhones relatively modest. The base model of the 2024 iPhone 16 was €799, compared to the first iPhone in 2007 which was €499.

Apple fans are hoping that the prices of the iPhone 17 will remain the same, despite the tariff concerns. However, the primary reason for this price increase is mostly due to normal inflation.

The prices of the iPhone 17 lineup will be officially announced at Apple's iPhone launch event on Sept. 9. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting event.