We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Up Next:
Apple played its cards right this year. The company unveiled the iPhone 16 family last week and contrary to rumors, the new Pro variants aren't more expensive than their last year's counterparts. This was perhaps Apple's smartest move and could help it break out of the sales slump that dogged it all of last year.
Before the iPhone 16 series was announced, it was reported that Apple may bump up the price of the iPhone 16 Pro by $100. This would have increased the starting price to $1,099 for the iPhone 16 Pro.
Thankfully, the rumor did not materialize, and the phones are sticking with the same prices as last year. This means that the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999, while prices for the iPhone 16 Pro Max begin at $1,199.
Get the iPhone 16 at Amazon with Boost Mobile
Get the iPhone 16 to experience Apple Intelligence and get things done effortlessly. The smartphone is available at Amazon with Boost Mobile for 100% off. You have to pick a Boost Mobile wireless plan ($65/mo). The deal requires activation.
Enjoy Apple Intelligence on a larger screen with the iPhone 16 Plus. The smartphone is available for purchase at Amazon with Boost Mobile. You can get the smartphone for less than $1 with a Boost Mobile wireless plan ($65/mo). Activation and 36-month financing through Boost Mobile are required.
The latest AI-enhanced iPhone 16 Pro is available for purchase at Amazon with Boost Mobile. The smartphone arrives for less than $1, provided that you pick a wireless service plan by Boost Mobile ($65/mo) and activate your device.
Go Pro Max this fall with style and choose the supreme iPhone 16 Pro Max. The latest ultra-premium iOS smartphone is available at Amazon with Boost Mobile. The device sells for under $1 with Boost Mobile, plan and activation required ($70.55/mo).
Apple's closest competitors, meanwhile, are pushing the limits with price.
Could this be their undoing?
Pixel 9 Pro XL and Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max's direct competitors, are both more expensive than their predecessors | Image Credit - PhoneArena
The strategy is not working for all of its phones though. The Galaxy Z Fold 6, which costs $100 more than its predecessor, is selling poorly. It may be argued that foldable phones are an altogether different beast, but considering Samsung was bragging about record-breaking Galaxy Z Fold 5 pre-orders just last year, it's easy to see that price is one of the biggest factors that affects sales.
Another company that's testing the water with bold prices is Google. It did something cheeky this year by shrinking the Pixel 9 Pro in size and renaming the true successor to the Pixel 8 Pro as the Pixel 9 Pro XL and slapping a $100 price increase on it.
And while the Pixel 9 Pro XL's $1,099 price tag may not sound far-fetched when compared to the pricing of other top phones of 2024, the truth is that customers may not be willing to pay these prices for a Google phone. That's because one of the things that made Pixel phones stand out was their lower prices.
Recommended Stories
This brings us back to the iPhone 16 Pro. Apple's latest flagships may not be dramatically different from their predecessors but they are visibly different, both in the literal and figurative sense.
For starters, both phones are physically bigger and offer longer battery life, meaning they probably house bigger batteries. They also got a new 48MP ultrawide camera as well as a Camera Control button.
The new phones are fueled by the 3nm A18 Pro, which is reportedly nearly as fast as the desktop-level M1 chip that's found in some older iPad Pros and Macs. It features a more powerful Neural Engine that will ensure Apple Intelligence features run smoothly.
All these changes could have been reason enough for Apple to raise prices. After all, that seems to be the latest trend in the industry. Apple did the smarter thing by keeping prices the same. It already laid the groundwork for enticing upgrades by making AI features exclusive to its most powerful phones. By not raising prices, it has made that decision even easier for prospective buyers.
Just like the reverse card in the game of Uno, Apple has turned the tables on its rivals this year.
Follow us on social media to catch the latest trending stories, watch exclusive videos, and join the conversation with our vibrant community!
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
Recommended Stories
Loading Comments...
COMMENT
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
Phonearena comments rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: