iPhone 17 Pro tipped for base storage increase alongside price hike

As hinted here and here, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro is expected to see a price increase. Now, the latest rumour in the mill sees Apple reportedly planning to soften the blow with an upward bump in starting storage.

Tipster Instant Digital shared on Weibo that the base iPhone 17 Pro will cost US$50 (~S$65) more than the iPhone 16 Pro, but it comes with double the base storage, increasing from the previous 128GB to 256GB.

This aligns with Apple’s previous 2023 strategy for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The company justified its higher price at the time by offering more storage, which supposedly creates a perception of better value for consumers. This also aligns with the increasing demand for phones with higher storage tiers, as these devices with 32GB or 64GB have long been considered relics of the past.

Since the Trump administration’s implementation of tariffs on countries worldwide, analysts have predicted a price increase for the iPhone 17. Jefferies analyst Edison Lee claims the prices for the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Air will increase by US$50 (~S$65), while others estimate increases of up to 43%.

Apple is said to unveil the iPhone 17 in the second week of September.

Source: Instant Digital via MacRumors