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Apple increases older iPhone prices by $100

2026-09-09 | original

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Why This Matters

Apple quietly raised prices on every previous-generation iPhone it still sells by $100, even as it highlighted unchanged pricing on new devices during its event. For consumers, the usual discount on last year's model has effectively disappeared, making the cheapest current iPhone $699 instead of $599 — a notable shift in Apple's long-standing pricing playbook.

Key Takeaways

All older iPhones Apple still sells went up $100: iPhone 16 to $799, iPhone 17 (256GB) to $899, iPhone Air to $1,099, and the entry iPhone 17E to $699.
Apple publicly emphasized flat pricing on new Watch models while saying nothing about the older iPhone increases.
AirPods prices were unchanged, with the article noting AirPods Pro 3 stay at $249 as they lack onboard memory.

Worth a Look

Apple AirPods Pro 3 — With iPhone prices creeping up by $100 across older models, AirPods Pro 3 held their line at $249 — making them the rare Apple buy that didn't get more expensive. They pair instantly with any iPhone in the lineup and are an easy upgrade if you're holding onto your current phone a bit longer.

See Apple AirPods Pro 3 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.

During today's iPhone Duo event, Apple made a point of noting a couple of times that some of its new devices would not go up in price. The Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, for instance, both start at the same price that their predecessors did — $399 and $799, respectively. What it didn't mention is that its older iPhones now cost more than they did yesterday.

In a change spotted by The Verge, Apple increased the price of all of the previous generation iPhones it still sells by $100. The iPhone 16, now starts at $799, up from $699. That means the device is back to its 2024 launch price after it was discounted following the release of the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 family, meanwhile, now starts at $699 with the iPhone 17E. Apple began selling the entry-level model at $599 just earlier this year. The iPhone 17, with 256GB of storage, is currently priced at $899, instead of $799. As for the iPhone Air, pricing there now starts at $1,099, up from $999.

The price of AirPods hasn't gone up. The AirPods Pro 3, for instance, remain at $249, likely due to the fact they don't include onboard memory.

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