Apple is raising iPhone prices by $100 on all of its old models

2026-09-09 | original

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Why This Matters

Apple has quietly raised prices by $100 across every older iPhone still on sale, from the iPhone 16 to the iPhone Air, right after unveiling its newest high-end models. With no base iPhone 18 announced, the cheapest entry point into the lineup just got more expensive, squeezing budget-conscious buyers.

Key Takeaways

All remaining last-gen iPhones went up $100: iPhone 16 to $799, iPhone 17E to $699, iPhone 17 to $899, iPhone Air to $1,099.
No base iPhone 18 was announced, leaving the new lineup starting at $1,199 and pushing buyers toward pricier options.
Older models are no longer the value play they were, effectively raising the floor price of owning an iPhone.

Worth a Look

Apple iPhone 16 — If the price hike stings, the iPhone 16 is still the sweet spot in Apple's lineup and is widely available unlocked from third-party sellers who may not have matched Apple's new pricing. It runs the same iOS updates as the newest models, so you're not missing out on software support.

See Apple iPhone 16 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.

is an editor covering deals and gaming hardware. He joined in 2018, and after a two-year stint at Polygon, he rejoined The Verge in May 2025.

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Following Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event that saw the announcement of the iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 Pro, the company increased the price on all of its last-gen iPhones that are still available for purchase.

The iPhone 16 sold for $699 just last week, and now it’s up to $799. The iPhone 17E with 256GB of storage now costs $699 instead of its launch $599 price. The iPhone 17 starts at $899 with 256GB of storage instead of $799. The trend continues up the ladder with the iPhone Air, which now costs $1,099 instead of $999.

The base iPhone 18 was missing from Apple’s September event, with the focus being on its highest-end models that start at $1,199. For now, if you want an affordable iPhone, it’ll cost you more than it did just yesterday.

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