(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
iPhone 16: Prepare for a Potential Price Hike
While Apple's newest flagship, the iPhone 15, has just made its grand entrance, rumors about its successor, the iPhone 16, are already buzzing. And the buzz isn't exactly harmonious.
Industry insiders hint that the iPhone 16 might carry a hefty price tag, owing to escalating production costs. A report from Nikkei Asia suggests that the iPhone 15's production costs have reached unprecedented levels, and Apple might transfer this burden to consumers with the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, for example, costs Apple a staggering $558 to produce, a 12% increase from its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The reason? A fancy new telephoto camera that's 380% pricier to manufacture and a titanium frame that's more expensive than the aluminum used in the iPhone 14 Pro models.
The A17 Pro chip, the powerhouse behind the iPhone 15, also comes at a significant cost. It reportedly costs $130 to produce, a 27% increase from the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14. Even the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus aren't spared from the cost surge, with production costs of $423 and $442, respectively.
Despite these rising costs, Apple managed to keep the iPhone 15 prices aligned with the iPhone 14 lineup (except for dropping the 128GB Pro Max model). But the question remains: Can Apple sustain this pricing strategy for the iPhone 16? Or will consumers face a sticker shock next year?
| Model | Starting price |
|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | $799 / £799 / AU$1,499 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | $899 / £899 / AU$1,649 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | $999 / £999 / AU$1,849 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,199 |
"Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 might come with a hefty price tag, as rising production costs could push the base model beyond $799. The top-tier iPhone 16 Pro Max, or potentially the iPhone 16 Ultra, could start at over $1,199, surpassing the already premium pricing of its predecessors.
While some of these cost increases stem from Apple's own decisions, like using premium materials like titanium, the broader surge in raw material prices is also a significant factor. Inevitably, consumers may have to bear some of this burden.
However, Apple's iPhones are known for their longevity, and the iPhone 15 series is no exception. While the iPhone 16 is expected to bring exciting technological advancements, upgrading to the latest and greatest is not always necessary. If your current iPhone is still serving you well, there's no rush to upgrade unless you have the budget and desire for the latest features."