Apple prepares iPhone price hike: More storage and 长沙U币商家合作longer financing to justify it?

April 14, 2025  16:02

Apple seems to have a plan to cushion the blow of rising iPhone prices: boosting baseline storage and offering more flexible payment options. AppleInsider, citing Morgan Stanley analysts, reports that the iPhone 17 series, set for a September 2025 reveal, will cost more—but Apple’s betting on clever tactics to make the hike feel worthwhile.

Why Are iPhone Prices Climbing?

The main driver is U.S. tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which hit Apple’s China-centric supply chain hard. UBS estimates the iPhone 16 Pro Max could jump by $350, or even hit $3,500 if production fully shifts to the U.S. To avoid scaring off buyers, Apple’s leaning on a familiar playbook: masking price increases with upgrades.

Morgan Stanley points to 2025, when the iPhone 15 Pro Max went from $1,099 to $1,199 but swapped 128 GB for 256 GB of storage. Buyers saw it as a win, not a hike. Analysts expect a repeat with the iPhone 17, predicting a baseline of 256 GB across all models—possibly 512 GB for Pro versions.

More Storage, Less Backlash

The logic is straightforward: extra storage feels like a gift, even if the price stings. A base iPhone 17 might rise from $799 to $899 but come with 256 GB instead of 128 GB. Pro models could start at $1,299 with 512 GB. This works for Apple because memory costs are dropping—TrendForce notes a 10% dip in NAND Flash prices in 2025—while the perceived value soars.

It’s a proven strategy. Counterpoint Research says 68% of 2025 iPhone buyers picked 256 GB or higher, as cloud storage can’t fully handle 4K videos or hefty apps. Apple’s framing the price bump as “caring” for user needs.

Financing and Production: Softening the Blow

To keep fans loyal, Apple may stretch Apple Card financing from 24 to 36 months, dropping monthly payments—for a $1,200 iPhone, that’s $33 instead of $50. Statista notes 40% of U.S. iPhone purchases in 2025 used installments, so this could resonate.

Apple’s also diversifying production. It assembles 15% of iPhones in India, with Morgan Stanley eyeing a rise to 25% by 2026. China remains the hub, but spreading out helps dodge tariff hits. The catch? Scaling takes years, while prices spike now.

What’s Coming for iPhone 17?

The iPhone 17 series, expected in September 2025, may sport a fresh design, an A19 chip with enhanced AI, and upgraded cameras. But without at least 256 GB as standard, those perks could lose shine against steeper prices. JPMorgan predicts a 5% iPhone sales bump in 2025 if Apple balances innovation and affordability.

The Global Picture

Price hikes aren’t just a U.S. issue. In Europe, taxes and currency rates already inflate iPhone costs by $200–300, with base models at €950. In India, the iPhone 16 Pro Max sells for 1.44 lakh (~₹150,000). Further increases could push buyers toward cheaper Android flagships from Xiaomi or Oppo.

The Takeaway

Apple’s turning a challenge into an opportunity: tariffs and costlier iPhones are offset by bigger storage and easier payments. The iPhone 17 will likely start at 256 GB and offer 36-month financing to ease the sting of prices like $899 or $1,299. But will fans keep paying up, or start eyeing alternatives? September 2025 will tell if Apple’s magic still works.