Apple is reportedly preparing to break a four-year trend by increasing the prices of its upcoming iPhone 17 series, expected to launch in September 2025. While Apple has historically avoided altering iPhone pricing since the iPhone 12, new developments in design, features, and global trade tensions may finally prompt the tech giant to make a change. However, sources suggest Apple is being cautious in how it frames the price hike, aiming to attribute it to product enhancements rather than ongoing tariff disputes with China.

Key Points

Apple may raise iPhone 17 prices after four years of price stability.

The hike is reportedly due to design upgrades and new features.

Apple aims to avoid attributing the increase to US-China tariffs.

Tariffs on Chinese imports remain at 30%, affecting smartphones.

iPhones made in India are expected to fulfill a larger US demand.

No final decision on the scale of the price hike has been made yet.

iPhone 17 series expected to launch in September 2025.

Why Apple Is Considering a Price Increase

According to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple is seriously contemplating a price increase for its iPhone 17 lineup. The primary reason? A significant overhaul in both design and features. The company is reportedly positioning the price hike as a reflection of the innovation packed into the new devices, rather than as a response to mounting import tariffs imposed by the US government on goods from China.

The report indicates that Apple is keen to avoid public and political backlash, especially at a time when scrutiny over how global companies respond to tariffs is intensifying. Notably, Amazon is said to be experimenting with transparently displaying tariff-related costs to customers — a move that has reportedly caused concern for Apple executives.

The Tariff Factor

Although Apple insists that design and functionality improvements are the driving forces behind the potential price hike, it’s impossible to ignore the looming shadow of trade tensions between the US and China. Despite a temporary 90-day pause on new tariffs, existing duties still apply. As of now, smartphones imported from China face a combined 30% tariff — 20% from the US and an additional 10% reciprocal tariff imposed earlier this year.

Apple’s current manufacturing structure remains heavily reliant on China, making it vulnerable to these tariffs. While the company has so far absorbed these additional costs, it may now be approaching a tipping point where passing some of that burden onto consumers becomes inevitable.

Shifting Production to India

To mitigate risks associated with Chinese manufacturing, Apple is accelerating its production shift to India. A separate report by The Economic Times reveals that Foxconn, Apple’s primary manufacturing partner, assembled 12 million iPhones in India in 2024. That number is expected to rise dramatically to 30 million units in 2025.

In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that the majority of iPhones sold in the US during the June quarter will be manufactured in India. This marks a significant shift in Apple’s global supply chain strategy and could be a long-term solution to offset geopolitical risks.

How Much Will the iPhone 17 Cost?

At this point, Apple has not finalized the exact price increase for the iPhone 17 series. Given the company’s careful positioning, any eventual announcement is likely to be framed around technological advancements rather than economic or political pressures.

Apple’s strategy could mirror what it did with previous product updates — adding more value through features like improved cameras, AI integration, and new materials, thereby justifying the higher price tags.

Conclusion

While Apple hasn’t raised iPhone prices since 2020, a significant shift may be on the horizon with the iPhone 17 series. The company appears to be navigating a complex landscape of innovation, rising manufacturing costs, and geopolitical trade tensions. Whether the price increase will be modest or substantial remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that Apple is preparing the ground to justify it in a consumer-friendly way. With September approaching, all eyes will be on Cupertino for official announcements.