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iPhone 17 Pro might be cheaper than its iPhone 16 Pro counterpart

You'll probably pay less for the iPhone 17 Pro than the iPhone 16 Pro equivalent.

By Anam Hamid

Updated: Aug 07, 2025, 10:09 AM

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iPhone 17 Pro renders. | Image Credit - Majin Bu

A couple of reports have hinted that all upcoming iPhone 17 models, except the base variant, will be more expensive than the devices they replace. The iPhone 17 Pro's price hike may not sting much, suggests a new report.

The iPhone 16 Pro starts with 128GB of storage and costs $999. The Wall Street Journal reported in May that the iPhone 17 series would cost more than the outgoing lineup. Investment banking and capital markets firm Jefferies backed that up, adding that the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max would see a $50 price hike.

Apple will apparently raise prices to keep up with rising costs and tariffs.

There may be a silver lining to the iPhone 17 Pro's price increase, though. Weibo tipster Instant Digital has hinted that the base iPhone 17 Pro will feature 256GB of storage. In that case, the rumored price hike would be more than justified, considering the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro retails for $1,099. The 256GB iPhone 17 Pro will go for $1,049 if the rumor is legit, so in a way, the price will go down.

The base iPhone 17 Pro might be $50 more expensive, but it is expected to have 256GB of storage.

The iPhone 17 Pro is also expected to feature hardware improvements that may make the case for a price increase, including a revamped back design, a faster chip, and a 48MP telephoto camera.

Would an increase in iPhone 17 Pro base storage justify a price increase?

No, 128GB is enough for me.

23.02%

No, it increases the entry point to the Pro line.

19.42%

Yes, you'd be getting more storage for less.

57.55%

That said, it could be argued that not everyone necessarily needs 256GB of storage, and the price jump will see the Pro model cross the $1,000 threshold for the first time.

The Apple Intelligence hype wasn't enough to drive a sales frenzy. Apple seems to be betting on the iPhone 17 Air's and iPhone 17 Pro's redesign to boost sales. The first price spike for a high-end flagship model since iPhone X will unsurprisingly coincide with the first major redesign since that release.

The jump in storage for the iPhone 17 Pro will likely soften the blow, while still allowing Apple to keep a fatter margin for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The iPhone 17 series will reportedly be announced on September 9.

$813 ⁵⁴

$999

$185 off (19%)

Apple’s 2024 flagship is still nothing to snark at. It has all the same software features, about the same cameras, save for super-pro modes like ProRes RAW Log 2 recording. If that didn’t mean anything to you, you’ll feel perfectly fine with an iPhone 16 Pro in your hands. And you save about $200 on what is essentially an excellent device that’s still hard to beat. Item prices vary by condition, color, and availability.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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