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My guess would be that Apple will raise the price of the 17-series when the 18-series is released, if for no other reason than to ensure people don't pass over buying the new 18 because the 17 is cheaper. The last thing Apple wants is sales of a lower cost 17 cutting into sales of a new series 18.
Typically they drop the old phone price by $100 when the new one comes out, but who knows now as every other device went up regardless on how old it was. I don't mind the current price, I just am hoping to ovoid a price jump for a year old phone.
 
If it's only $100 on the 18 Pro Max, I may well upgrade this year, because I was expecting $200-$300 and that would likely mean a bigger hike next year. I have a 16 Pro Max I can trade in and keep my 17 Pro Max as my backup.
 
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