{
  "id": 6555142,
  "title": "Apple quietly jacks the prices of the iPhone 16, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air — here's how much you'll pay now",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/apple-quietly-jacks-the-prices-of-the-iphone-16-iphone-17-and-iphone",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-10T07:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/apple-quietly-jacks-the-prices-of-the-iphone-16-iphone-17-and-iphone-air-heres-how-much-youll-pay-now"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple quietly raised the prices of several older iPhone models during its recent Surprise and Shine event. The iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, and iPhone Air all saw a $100 increase on Apple's website. While discounts from carriers may still be available, the newer models are no longer as good a value as they once were. Here's how the older models compare to the new iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in terms of cost, storage, processor, and battery life.\n\nStarting with the top of the line, the iPhone 18 Pro Max now costs $1,299 for a 256GB model with an A20 Pro chip, offering up to 45 hours of battery life. The iPhone 18 Pro is priced at $1,199 for the same storage and processor, with a 36-hour battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro Max previously sold for these prices, but Apple has since discontinued them.\n\nMoving down the line, the iPhone 17 Pro now costs $1,099 for a 256GB model with an A19 Pro chip, and the battery life is rated at 17 hours and 54 minutes. The iPhone 17 Pro itself was priced at $1,099 when it launched, so Apple has raised the prices across its entire lineup.\n\nThe iPhone Air also saw a price increase, now going for $1,099 for a 256GB model with an A19 Pro chip, and lasting up to 12 hours and 2 minutes on a single charge. The iPhone 17 model is listed at $899 for its 256GB capacity, powered by an A19 chip and boasting a battery life of 12 hours and 47 minutes.\n\nPerhaps most surprising is the $100 price bump the iPhone 16 received, going from $799 to $899. While the iPhone 17e now costs $699 for its 256GB configuration, powered by an A19 chip, the iPhone 16 has half the storage and an older processor. Although it features a better camera setup and faster charging, the question remains whether the price increase is justified.",
  "summary": "Apple's last-gen phones now cost a little bit more. Here's how much the iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, and iPhone Air command.",
  "key_points": [
    "iPhone 16 price increased by $100 to $899",
    "iPhone 17 price increased by $100 to $1,099",
    "iPhone Air price increased by $100 to $1,099"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The price hikes for older iPhone models, including the iPhone 16, 17, and Air, reduce their value proposition, making them less competitive with newer models like the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Business",
        "title": "'Welcome to Foldables': Samsung braces for Apple's foldable iPhone challenge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/welcome-to-foldables-samsung-braces-for-apples-foldable-iphone-6546895",
        "published": "2026-09-10T05:27:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "'Welcome to Foldables': Samsung braces for Apple's foldable iPhone challenge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/welcome-to-foldables-samsung-braces-for-apples-foldable-iphone",
        "published": "2026-09-10T05:38:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}