We may now understand why Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are becoming more pricey.
In a recent article, Digitimes stated that the “[iPhone 15] Pro series is likely to suffer from a major price hike because of the chassis upgrades from stainless steel to titanium and the periscope lens upgrade, which is only for the Pro Max, for performing 5-6x optical zoom.”
Titanium was previously mentioned as a significant cost increase for Apple, but with assurances that the price of the iPhone 15 Pro wouldn’t increase, it seemed this wouldn’t be passed on to customers. Add the price of Apple’s first 10x optical zoom camera, and this supports reports that the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max might increase by up to $200, making it the priciest iPhone ever made.
As a result, the price range for the iPhone 15 series may be as follows:
- Starting at $799 (unchanged) for the iPhone 15.
- Starting at $899 for the iPhone 15 Plus (no changes).
- Starting at $1,099 for the iPhone 15 Pro (an increase of $100).
- Starting at $1,299 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max (a $200 price increase)
There is speculation that Apple is integrating components like the titanium chassis, which is stronger and lighter than stainless steel but not necessary to the phone, in order to create a bigger distinction between its Pro and non-Pro iPhones.
Why? Sales of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max outpaced those of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus for the majority of the iPhone 14’s lifespan. This is because the price difference between the iPhone 14 Plus and the iPhone 14 Pro, which is just $100, is negligible over the course of a typical two-year carrier contract.
As all iPhone models have comparable profit margins, Apple would seek to balance demand to benefit its supply chain. The increased prices make the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max $400 and $300 more expensive than the iPhone 14 Plus and 15, respectively.
These numbers will be enough of a difference, even when stretched over a lengthy carrier contract, to cause upgraders to second-guess themselves. While the rest of the smartphone market experiences its steepest decline ever, Apple may raise the average selling price of its iPhones due to the Pro upgrades.
What are the distinctions, then, and are they pricey? The basic iPhone 15 models will effectively be updated versions of the iPhone 14 Pro for less money, as has become customary in recent years. You’ll have to wait for reviews to find out the answer to the second part of this query. That entails a 48-megapixel camera, an A16 processor, and a Dynamic Island design.
The iPhone 15 Pros, in comparison, have record-breaking bezels, a new chassis material, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C connections, the first 3nm smartphone chip (the A17), and the aforementioned periscopic zoom camera for the Pro Max. Also, the battery life should be greatly improved.
