Apple might announce iPhone 17 series with a price hike: Report

India Today

06-06-2025

Apple could increase the prices of its upcoming iPhone 17 series, according to a new report by Counterpoint Research. The company has so far kept iPhone prices unchanged for the past few years, but this trend may not continue, especially with the possibility of new US tariffs affecting overall production costs.The research firm has cut its 2025 global smartphone shipment growth forecast from 4.2 per cent to just 1.9 per cent. It expects Apple and Samsung to take a hit, particularly in North America, due to rising costs from tariffs. The report states that these additional costs are expected to be passed on to customers, which could result in a decline in sales in key markets, such as the US.advertisement"North America is expected to decline due to expected price increases from tariffs," the firm said, adding that demand in China has also weakened despite government support. Apple's performance in both regions is expected to be affected.
As for the iPhone 17, earlier leaks have suggested that Apple may not make many changes to the base model. Analyst Jeff Pu recently claimed that the entry-level variant of the iPhone 17 could feature the same A18 chip that will power the iPhone 16. If that's the case, Apple might decide to stick with its usual pricing, starting around Rs 79,999 in India. In such a scenario, the iPhone 16 could get a price cut of about Rs 10,000 once the new series is launched.While the chipset may remain unchanged, some upgrades are still expected. One of the biggest changes could be the display — Apple is said to be planning a 6.3-inch screen for the iPhone 17, slightly larger than the 6.1-inch panel on the iPhone 16. More importantly, the new display may support a 120Hz refresh rate, bringing smoother visuals to the non-Pro iPhone for the first time.advertisementAnother rumoured improvement is on the front camera. Apple may double the resolution to 24 megapixels, which would help capture more detailed selfies and videos. The main rear camera is likely to stay at 48 megapixels, and users shouldn't expect the Pro model's zoom lens to appear on the standard variant. Battery capacity for the iPhone 17 is still under wraps, but with a larger display, Apple could opt for a slightly bigger battery to maintain similar battery life.Overall, the iPhone 17 might not bring a major overhaul, but features like a higher refresh rate and a sharper selfie camera could be enough to draw attention. The final price will likely depend on how Apple deals with rising manufacturing costs in the US. While a price hike seems possible, nothing is confirmed yet. As always, people should take these early reports with a pinch of salt.