iPhone 17 Pro to Start at $1,049 With Doubled Base Storage

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro will have a starting price that is $50 more than the iPhone 16 Pro but it will come with a minimum 256GB of storage, doubling the base capacity compared to last year's model. The information comes from Chinese leaker Instant Digital, posting on Weibo. The account, which has 1.5 million followers, has now made the claim three separate times in recent weeks.

Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro starts at 128GB storage for $999, while the 256GB version costs $1,099. By contrast, the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max already begins at 256GB for $1,199. Both Pro models offer up to 1TB of storage.

Before the launch of the iPhone 15 series in 2023, there were rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max would drop the 128GB tier and start at $1,199, up from $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The rumor proved accurate, but only because Apple eliminated the lower storage option, effectively raising the entry price.

Apple may be preparing a similar shift for the iPhone 17 Pro. A new 256GB base model could be priced at $1,049, replacing the 128GB model at $999. Rather than a straightforward $50 price hike, this move could be perceived by customers as better value, offering more storage for only a modest increase – and simplifying the lineup in the process.

In July, Jefferies reported that Apple plans to raise prices across the iPhone 17 lineup by $50, citing higher component costs and tariffs related to China. Instant Digital echoed this expectation in a previous post. The Wall Street Journal has also reported that Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming ‌iPhone 17‌ models.

Instant Digital has shared accurate Apple information before, including the Yellow iPhone 14 launch, iPhone 15's frosted glass back, spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro, M4 iPad Pro's nano-texture display, and iPhone 16 Pro battery specs. Their claims are therefore worth taking seriously.

We'll know for sure soon enough. Apple is rumored to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9, with a potential launch date of September 19.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro to Start at $1,049 With Doubled Base Storage

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

this rectangle spraypaint makes it look like it has a battery pack attached

 

[uacd]

Yeah, 1050$ in US and 1600$ in Europe. C’mon Apple, you can do that! How else are you gonna cover tariff costs if not overpricing the overpriced product

 

[Tripps9000]

Ha I knew they would do this eventually with the pro model

 

[JamesMcFlyJR]

so im to assume the 17 Pro Max will stay at the same price then? $1199 for 256gb?

I do hope Apple does something about the upgrade tiers. $200 to go from 256gb to 512gb is crazy. How about $200 to go from 256gb to 1tb? would simplify the lineup

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Exactly what I had expected.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

It's useless to convert the currency for the European market because Apple always asks much more than the converted rate in the EU.

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

I don’t see it. Either $999 or $1099. Apple likes round numbers.

 

[UliBaer]

It's useless to convert the currency for the European market because Apple always asks much more than the converted rate in the EU.

That's why Apple likes milking Europeans but hates their legislation.

 

[Godspeed8230]

That's why Apple likes milking Europeans but hates their legislation.

European here, it's not like Apple forces us to buy their products. Some like to be milked 🙈

 

[Tripps9000]

European here, it's not like Apple forces us to buy their products.

No that is true but at least the eu finally made apple add usbc to the iPhone which i think was a good move

 

[maszaikasza]

Yeah, 1050$ in US and 1600$ in Europe. C’mon Apple, you can do that! How else are you gonna cover tariff costs if not overpricing the overpriced product

It won't be that bad. USD is quite weak against EUR compared to last few years. Also, USD price is before taxes. In Europe it's a total cost. But of course, as always, it will be more expensive than in U.S. But that shouldn't be a surprise.

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

this rectangle spraypaint makes it look like it has a battery pack attached

It’s called balancing design language. Without it upper part of the phone would feels to heavy cuz of new cam module design

 

[EugW]

What I was hoping for
$999 256 GB Pro
$1099 256 GB Pro Max

Acceptable
$1049 256 GB Pro
$1149 256 GB Pro Max

Too high
$1099 256 GB Pro
$1199 256 GB Pro Max

OTOH, I’m in Canada, so we are not necessarily subject to the same US-centric tariffs so I’m not sure what type of price increases there would be in Canada.

 

[Slo Pesci]

Still rockin the iPhone 13. Fast, OLED, good camera, light and has 5g. I got no reason to upgrade.

 

[DrRadon]

Yeah, 1050$ in US and 1600$ in Europe. C’mon Apple, you can do that! How else are you gonna cover tariff costs if not overpricing the overpriced product

Would this not be a 50$ price reduction?

 

[berrymetal]

Can't wait to see the actual iPhone 17 pro reveal to come back to these renders and have a laugh

 

[DrRadon]

OTOH, I’m in Canada, so we are not necessarily subject to the same US-centric tariffs so I’m not sure what type of price increases there would be in Canada.

The tariff are for importing into the US. If Apple ships your phones directly from China/Asia to Canada there are no Tarifs. There might only be a price increase to offset the impact on people living in the USA. Wich sort of makes sense for apple to keep selling at a "reasonable price" but of cause is not ideal for everyone in other countries because we did not take part in the election of the person that installed the aggressive tariffs.

 

[SnowPenguin]

The camera protrudes a bit too much.

 

[Liquid Galaxy]

The amount of people these days that STILL don't realise American prices do not include the VAT is astounding. If you think you can walk into a US Apple store and pick up an iPhone for $999 you'll be getting a shock when you get to the till...well, unless you're in Vegas which I believe you don't pay tax unless I'm mistaken?

 

[Pitogyro]

The amount of people these days that STILL don't realise American prices do not include the VAT is astounding. If you think you can walk into a US Apple store and pick up an iPhone for $999 you'll be getting a shock when you get to the till...well, unless you're in Vegas which I believe you don't pay tax unless I'm mistaken?

The average sales tax in the US is 6-7%. It's peanuts compared to Europe.

 

[tizeye]

Price increase is expected but concern, on a scale of 1 to 10 (highest), about a 2. The real concern, and not addressed, is the impact it has on the carriers “deals.” While each of the major carriers in the US offer some form of a “free” phone which they benefit from as it prevents people from jumping to a different carrier for the term without paying off the phone. Frankly, my iPhone 15 Pro cost me $0 with 3 or 4 months left on the 2 year obligation, where would then be able to repeat with a “free” 17 Pro. Technically it is not free as do have to pay the sales tax, but rack months bill shows the normal 0% finance charge with the offsetting credit to cover, plus notes the remaining balance. The plan cost is immaterial as would have anyway for the other features.

 

[IceCool]

Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro will have a starting price that is $50 more than the iPhone 16 Pro but it will come with a minimum 256GB of storage, doubling the base capacity compared to last year's model. The information comes from Chinese leaker Instant Digital, posting on Weibo. The account, which has 1.5 million followers, has now made the claim three separate times in recent weeks.

Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro starts at 128GB storage for $999, while the 256GB version costs $1,099. By contrast, the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max already begins at 256GB for $1,199. Both Pro models offer up to 1TB of storage.

Before the launch of the iPhone 15 series in 2023, there were rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max would drop the 128GB tier and start at $1,199, up from $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The rumor proved accurate, but only because Apple eliminated the lower storage option, effectively raising the entry price.

Apple may be preparing a similar shift for the iPhone 17 Pro. A new 256GB base model could be priced at $1,049, replacing the 128GB model at $999. Rather than a straightforward $50 price hike, this move could be perceived by customers as better value, offering more storage for only a modest increase – and simplifying the lineup in the process.

In July, Jefferies reported that Apple plans to raise prices across the iPhone 17 lineup by $50, citing higher component costs and tariffs related to China. Instant Digital echoed this expectation in a previous post. The Wall Street Journal has also reported that Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming ‌iPhone 17‌ models.

Instant Digital has shared accurate Apple information before, including the Yellow iPhone 14 launch, iPhone 15's frosted glass back, spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro, M4 iPad Pro's nano-texture display, and iPhone 16 Pro battery specs. Their claims are therefore worth taking seriously.

We'll know for sure soon enough. Apple is rumored to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup on September 9, with a potential launch date of September 19.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro to Start at $1,049 With Doubled Base Storage

They were going to do this without tariffs regardless.

It was only a matter of time once they did it with the Pro Max.

Besides, this is basically a $50 price reduction and removal of the 128GB tier for the Pro models.

 

[Nibo10]

The iPhone Pro has held the same starting price since the iPhone X in 2017. That’s eight years without a change, even as almost everything else has gone up due to inflation. Over that time, Apple has also increased the base storage, so in real terms, we've been getting more for the same price. In fact, when you factor in inflation, it’s actually cheaper now than it was back then. Nobody likes a price hike, but looking at the bigger picture, this has been a very stable price points in tech.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yeah, 1050$ in US and 1600$ in Europe. C’mon Apple, you can do that! How else are you gonna cover tariff costs if not overpricing the overpriced product

Why would Apple charge $550 more in Europe? Its usually dollar to Euro/Pound equivilent but tariffs shouldn't apply here.