Will the iPhone 17's price drop when the iPhone 18 launches? The answer is more complicated than usual this year
This isn't a typical year for iPhones, so will Apple drop prices like usual, or will you be stuck with high charges?
The launch of a new iPhone typically results in a price drop for the older model, but this year's situation is unique. Apple is set to introduce its long-awaited foldable phone, and the escalating costs of memory are impacting handset production. Moreover, it's unlikely that a base iPhone 18 model will be available at Apple's September 9 launch, with the device possibly arriving in March or April instead.
This could mean that the iPhone 17 might only have limited options at launch, such as the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, or iPhone 18 Ultra. Normally, only the standard model receives a price reduction, but given the circumstances, the iPhone 17 may not see a price drop when the iPhone 18 launches. The rising cost of memory might prevent any price reduction for the iPhone 17 even after the iPhone 18's release.
Instead, Apple might opt to launch the iPhone 18 at a higher price while keeping the iPhone 17 at its current price. However, if the iPhone 18 is delayed until early 2027, the iPhone 17 could be well over a year old and likely due for a price drop. Apple may discontinue the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max when the Pro series is introduced, rather than lowering their prices.
The starting price of the iPhone 17 could potentially decrease from $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 to $699 / £699 / AU$1,249 upon the iPhone 18's arrival. However, it's uncertain if this reduction will occur this year. After the September 9 launch, customers will likely face either new models at higher prices or the iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, or iPhone Air at their current prices.
While Apple may discontinue some models, third-party sellers could potentially reduce the prices of discontinued devices to make way for the new ones. Purchasing a pre-owned handset could also result in significant savings. If you're considering an iPhone upgrade but do not wish to purchase any of the upcoming models, it would be advisable to wait until they are announced before making a purchase. However, do not delay too long after the launch, as stores may run out of new units.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
