Since Apple does not deviate from its schedule, we can expect the iPhone 16 lineup to be announced and released in September 2024. But how much will the iPhone 16 cost?

Cupertino staff is expected to make a number of upgrades to the iPhone 16 lineup, from the possible introduction of the iPhone 16 Ultra to the production of the largest versions of the Pro and Pro Max.

In addition to this, Apple is limiting AI to devices with the A17 chip or later, so these will natively run Apple Intelligence right out of the box. In addition, rumors suggest an update to Wi-Fi 7, which promises speeds of up to 30 gigabits per second.

While all of this is exciting on paper, speculation is beginning to grow around whether we will see a price increase. With rising component costs and new AI-driven features, it is not unreasonable to expect Apple to raise prices. However, it is also possible that prices will remain unchanged, as they have for the past several generations. Let's cut to the chase.

The iPhone lineup over the past few years has foregone price increases, with the entry-level iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models starting at $800 and the Plus version going up slightly to $900.

The Pro model remained the same price at $1,000, but last year the iPhone 15 Pro Max was $1,199, a $100 price increase from the iPhone 14 Pro Max. At the same time, Apple discontinued the 128GB storage option, with the new (more expensive) baseline being 256GB.

If Apple does not change anything, the iPhone 16 lineup is expected to be priced the same. Except for the rumored iPhone 16 Ultra, which may be priced at $1,200 or more. With five upcoming iPhone 16 devices revealed in back-end code, it is possible that there will be an Ultra or a lower-end iPhone SE 4 model that will be significantly cheaper, around $499.

In addition to Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16 will have many new features; starting with the Pro's dowry, it appears that all 16th generation iPhones will get the Action butoon that was limited to the 15 Pro last year.

We have also seen prototypes of the iPhone 16 and Plus with different camera layouts. The Pro model may have an improved 48MP ultra-wide angle lens. Camera rumors were all over the map for the iPhone 16, but these are just a couple of the changes the device might see.

There are also rumors that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will have larger displays: the iPhone 16 Pro will be 6.3 inches and the Pro Max will be 6.9 inches.

The entire lineup is expected to feature the A18 chip, and the Pro model will likely have the "A18 Pro" variant.

You may have seen it in this year's pricing, but 2024 was a year of price hikes for most companies. For example, Samsung raised the price of its high-end Galaxy S24 Ultra phone to $1,299

. Reportedly, the ultra-large Pro Max costs Apple $558 to produce, and the iPhone 15 also costs $423, a 16% increase over the iPhone 14. Last year, Apple absorbed the costs. Will it do so again this year?

According to MacRumors, Apple resellers in China are running promotions to move iPhone 15 inventory. At the same time, Chinese manufacturers like OnePlus and Huawei are only growing in popularity in China, partly due to strong interest in AI.

Apple's price increase is not a new rumor either: prior to the iPhone 15 launch, there were numerous rumors of price increases for both the Pro and Pro Max models. the Pro Max was raised in price, again likely due to Apple's abandonment of the 128GB storage capacity variant. The other sizes were priced the same as the previous models. Other sizes were priced the same as previous models.

More details will be known when Apple holds an event in September 2024. Until then, keep checking back for more information on the future of the iPhone.