Apple fans have numerous reasons to anticipate the release of the iPhone 15 later this year, but they may also need to brace themselves for a larger financial investment. This is because it has been suggested that the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max may come with a higher price tag compared to previous Pro models.
Jeff Pu, a tech analyst at Haitong International Securities in Hong Kong, has indicated that the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are likely to be priced higher than previous Pro models. This suggests that consumers can expect to pay more for the latest iterations of Apple’s flagship smartphones.
According to a research note by Jeff Pu this week, the expected hardware upgrades in the iPhone 15 Pro models, such as a titanium frame, solid-state buttons with haptic feedback from additional Taptic Engines, an A17 Bionic chip, increased RAM, and a periscope lens for improved optical zoom in the Pro Max model, are likely to cause a price increase. As a result, Pu predicted that the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max may be priced higher than previous Pro models.
This is not the first time that a price hike has been rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro models. In fact, there was an unverified claim on Chinese social media website Weibo in January that also suggested a price increase. However, it remains to be seen whether Apple will actually raise the pricing for these devices. In the US, the Pro models have had a starting price of $999 since the release of the iPhone X in 2017, while the Pro Max has had a starting price of $1,099 since the launch of the iPhone XS Max the following year.
Pu also predicts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Ultra will have a higher starting price in the US than the $1,099 price point that Apple has maintained for several years now.
In many countries outside the US, Apple has raised the prices of its iPhones due to currency fluctuations. For instance, in the UK, the starting price of the iPhone 14 Pro is £1,099, which is higher than the starting price of £949 for the previous iPhone 13 Pro model.
Prior to the release of the iPhone 14, there were rumors circulating that the Pro models would be more expensive than previous generations. However, when Apple announced the iPhone 14 lineup, prices remained the same as the iPhone 13 Pro models.
While there have been no rumors or indications of a potential price increase for the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, it’s worth noting that Apple has historically kept the prices of its non-Pro models relatively stable over the years.
While rumors of a price increase for the iPhone 15 Pro models persist, there have also been reports suggesting that the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus could actually be cheaper than their predecessors. This would allow Apple to better differentiate the pricing and features between the various models in the lineup. However, it remains to be seen what Apple will ultimately decide in terms of pricing for the upcoming iPhone 15 lineup.
It is anticipated that Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 lineup in September, in keeping with its usual launch schedule. Rumor has it that all four models will sport a USB-C port, a Dynamic Island display, and a frame with a slightly more curved design.
Via: 9to5Mac