Last Tuesday night at like 11 PM, Jake sent me a text. Three crying-laughing emojis: “BRO, I’M AN IDIOT.” It turned out he’d just seen some YouTuber discussing iPhone 17 rumors and was having a full-on panic attack over his brand-new iPhone 16 Pro Max.

When I rang him back, he said, “I just bought this thing last month for $1,200. Everyone’s saying the 17 is going to be so much better; now I feel like a total sucker.

That just made me choke on my coffee a little. This is typical Jake – second-guessing himself again. But once we hung up, I began to wonder the same thing he did. What’s the iPhone 17 expected price going to look like when Apple inevitably makes us all feel outdated again in September?

Spoiler alert: the answer is probably something that won’t be great for our bank accounts.

The Bottom Line on Pricing

Analysts are predicting that Apple is not going to stray far from existing price points, but that does come with some caveats. A Jefferies analyst is expecting a $50 increase across the board due to tariffs and rising costs. Which isn’t exactly pocket change when you’re already dealing with four-figure price tags.

Therefore, if the rumors turn out to be correct, we are potentially looking at something like this:

• iPhone 17: Starting around $849 (up from $799)
• iPhone 17 Air: Around $949 (replacing the Plus model)
• iPhone 17 Pro: Starting at $1,049 (up from $999)
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: Starting at $1,249 (up from $1,199)

Yeah, that hurts just typing it out.

The Wild Card: iPhone 17 Air

The biggest question mark in terms of pricing is this new iPhone 17 Air that’s supposedly replacing the Plus model. Apple tends to call things “Air” when they’re on the premium pricing side of the scale, but this one should be thinner and lighter while still making some trade-offs.

Rumour has it that it’s going to take on a smaller battery (approximately 2,800 mAh) and a single camera. So you’re getting an ultra-thin design, but you’ll be losing out on some functionality. Classic Apple move: make you pay more for less, but package it as innovation.

 Another classic move that Apple always plays is acting like they are taking money out of your pocket and selling you less for more but disguising it with innovation.

The iPhone 17 expected price for this Air model is sitting around $949, which would be $50 more than the current Plus. It is pretty logical for Apple; it gets to charge a premium in exchange for minuscule savings on parts like cameras and battery capacities.

What You Get for Your Money

Let’s be real; these price increases better come with some serious upgrades. And by all accounts, Apple has a serious offering this year.

All the iPhone 17 models are reportedly getting a 24MP front camera. That’s twice as much as we have now, and to be honest, it’s about time. My selfies look like they were taken with a potato from 2018.

The Pro models are rumored to get a 48MP telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom. Plus there’s talk of this mechanical aperture thing that lets you control depth of field like a real camera. That’s actually pretty sick if they pull it off.

But here’s what really caught my attention: the Pro Max might finally crack 5,000 mAh on the battery. That would be the biggest iPhone battery ever. About damn time, considering my iPhone 16 Pro barely makes it through a full day of heavy use.

The Technology Tax

Look, I get why prices keep creeping up. These phones are basically pocket computers now, and the R&D costs are insane. Apple’s reportedly working with Corning on some new scratch-resistant, anti-glare glass. They’re developing their own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips. The A19 processors are probably gonna be beasts.

But man, it’s getting harder to justify dropping over a grand on a phone when my current one works fine. My mom’s still rocking an iPhone 12, and honestly? It does everything she needs perfectly.

The Real Cost of Upgrading

Here’s what really gets me about the iPhone 17 expected price situation; it’s not just the phone itself. You’re looking at cases, screen protectors, and maybe new charging accessories if Apple changes something. Plus AppleCare if you’re smart about protecting your investment.

My sister learned this the hard way last year. Bought the iPhone 16 Pro for $999, then spent another $200 on a case, screen protector, and AppleCare. Suddenly her “thousand-dollar phone” cost $1,200.

And don’t even get me started on storage. Apple’s probably still gonna start the base models at 128GB, which fills up faster than a gas tank these days. You want 256GB? That’ll be another $100, thank you very much.

International Pricing Reality Check

The pricing I mentioned is for the US market. If you’re anywhere else, good luck. Apple loves to jack up prices internationally, and with currency fluctuations and local taxes, you’re looking at even steeper costs.

My cousin in Australia said the iPhone 16 Pro Max cost him the equivalent of $1,400 USD. That’s absolutely bonkers, but Apple knows people will pay it.

The Upgrade Dilemma

So should you wait for the iPhone 17? Depends on what you’re using now. If you’ve got an iPhone 14 or newer, honestly, you’re probably fine for another year or two. The improvements are getting more incremental.

But if you’re still on an iPhone 12 or older, the jump to iPhone 17 might actually be worth it. New cameras, better battery life, faster performance; you’ll actually notice the difference.

My Take on the Price Hikes

Here’s my honest opinion: Apple’s pricing strategy is getting out of hand. They’re pushing phones into luxury territory when, for most people, a phone is essential, not a status symbol.

That said, they know what they’re doing. People line up every September to buy the latest iPhone, regardless of price. As long as the demand is there, prices will keep climbing.

What This Actually Means for Real People

Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat this. If you want the iPhone 17 Pro Max when it drops, you better start putting away like $50 a week right now. By September, you’ll have enough saved up without having to eat ramen noodles for a month.

My strategy? I’ve got this stupid little piggy bank on my desk (yes, I’m 28 and have a piggy bank; don’t judge me) . Every time I don’t buy that overpriced Starbucks drink, the five bucks goes in there. It’s amazing how fast it adds up.

But here’s the real talk: most people don’t actually need to upgrade every year. I know, I know, that’s not what Apple wants to hear. My dad’s still using his iPhone 13 Pro, and honestly? This thing works like a dream. Takes great photos, runs all his apps, battery still lasts all day.

Final Words

The iPhone 17 expected price situation is basically Apple testing how much we’re willing to pay before we finally say “enough”. And judging by the lines every September, we haven’t hit that limit yet.

My buddy Jake? I told him to enjoy his iPhone 16 Pro Max and ignore the iPhone 17 hype. His phone will be perfectly fine for years to come. But knowing Jake, he’ll probably still be first in line come September, wallet crying but excitement levels maxed out.

That’s the Apple magic, I guess.