Ever since the iPhone X arrived in 2017, Apple has kept the pricing of its regular-sized “Pro” phone at $999. It’s an important psychological barrier that makes it still seem attainable even affordable, like other phones with three-figure prices.
This year, all signs point to a shift in Apple’s strategy. According to numerous reports, Apple will charge more for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max as it looks to create even more of a difference between its regular phones and high-end models. Based on rumors, the price hikes will be accompanied by a new chip, better cameras (including a better telephoto camera on the Pro Max models), a new design with a titanium body, and very slightly larger displays. They might even start at 256GB of storage.
But the question is: How much more will we have to pay? When similar rumors cropped up ahead of the launch of the iPhone 14, the consensus was that Apple was planning to raise prices by $100 on the Pro and Pro Max, as well as introduce the iPhone 14 Plus at $899. The iPhone 14 Plus part was true, but the price hike for the Pro models was not. Here’s what the iPhone 15 lineup would look like with that price hike:
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,199
- iPhone 15 Pro: $1,099
- iPhone 15 Plus: $899
- iPhone 15: $799
Conventional wisdom says to just shift the pricing previously rumored for the iPhone 14 lineup to the iPhone 15 lineup. However, there are numerous reports that suggest the iPhone 14 Plus isn’t selling as well as expected and may get a price cut. A $100 price cut would make it the same price as the 6.1-inch model, which doesn’t make sense, so let’s assume a $50 price cut for both phones. That gives us this:
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,199
- iPhone 15 Pro: $1,099
- iPhone 15 Plus: $849
- iPhone 15: $749
Those prices ending in 49 might look weird but they’re not without precedent. In 2018, Apple introduced the iPhone XR at $749 as an affordable alternative to the iPhone XS, which started at $999. A $50 price cut coupled with a $100 price hike for the Pros would again put $250 between the cheapest Pro model and the most expensive non-Pro model and $350 between the two 6.1-inch models. That’s a pretty perfect pricing structure if you’re Apple.
However, a rumor this week claims that Apple could charge even more for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In his weekly Power On newsletter on July 30, Mark Gurman reported that he “wouldn’t rule out a price increase in the US — at least for some of the pro models,” adding that “the move to titanium and the costlier camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro Max” could push prices higher than ever.
An even higher price tag for the Pro Max would be the first time the two Pro phones weren’t $100 apart, but the rumors seem to justify such an increase. Most notably, the phone is expected to get an upgraded 6X telephoto camera while the 6.1-inch model stays at 3X. That’s a significant upgrade that undoubtedly justifies a $200 price gap.
So with that in mind, here’s what the pricing could look like:
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,299
- iPhone 15 Pro: $1,099
- iPhone 15 Plus: $849
- iPhone 15: $749
A $1,299 starting price could push one variant of the iPhone 15 Pro Max over $2,000 for the first time if the rumors of a 2TB model are true. It would also create an unprecedented $550 difference between the cheapest iPhone 15 and the Pro Max as well as the highest average selling price for the iPhone Pro line by a significant margin. A $1,299 starting price may seem excessive, but it wouldn’t be surprising at all.
With the smartphone economy shrinking, Apple is motivated to sell iPhones at both ends of the spectrum, and this pricing creates value everywhere. The lower-end phones are more affordable, the higher-end ones are more premium.iPhone 15 Pro Max buyers will certainly grumble at the higher price, but ultimately few if any will pick a different phone. The iPhone 15 Pro Max attracts a certain kind of buyer, and they’re unlikely to downgrade to something cheaper, especially if it’s the only way to get the best telephoto camera ever to ship in an iPhone.
But we wouldn’t bet on it. Taking all this in, it seems most likely that both Pro models will increase by $100 and the non-Pro models, which will be getting last year’s Pro features—a new A16 chip, display with Dynamic Island, and 48MP main camera—will get a slight price cut, much like the 13-inch MacBook Air earlier this year. As much as Apple likes to charge a premium for premium products, $1,299 seems a bit too high. Maybe next year when the iPhone Ultra arrives.
FAQs
This means nothing has changed since 2018, with the iPhone 15 Pro remaining at $999 since 2019. Increasing the price from $1,099 to $1,199 is enormous, but several new features paint these new Pro models as being worth the bump — here's why.
How much will the 15 Pro Max cost? ›
The 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $1,199, followed by the 512GB model at $1,399 and the 1TB model at $1,599. The iPhone 15 Pro Max was announced at the Apple Event on September 12 and went on sale September 22. Good luck in getting your hands on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, though — supplies are strained right now.
Is it worth upgrading to iPhone 15 Pro Max? ›
But you should definitely consider upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you've been hanging on to an older edition of the iPhone, or if you're using the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, or iPhone 14 Pro and want to take advantage of the larger and more vibrant display of the Pro Max model, or its camera features.
Will the iPhone 15 be more expensive? ›
iPhone 15: starting from $799 (unchanged) iPhone 15 Plus: starting from $899 (unchanged) iPhone 15 Pro: starting from $1,099 ($100 increase)
What is the difference between the iPhone 15 and the 15 Pro Max? ›
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a bigger screen than the iPhone 15, along with a higher refresh rate, a more premium construction, an Action button, an extra camera lens, a bigger battery (offering longer life), a more powerful chipset, and more RAM.
How to get $1000 off iPhone 15 Pro Max? ›
If you've got a phone to trade in, you can get up to $930 off the iPhone 15 Plus or $1,000 off the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with an eligible trade-in.
Will the iPhone 15 Pro Max be bigger? ›
iPhone 15 Plus vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: design and display
This has made the Pro Max fractionally (and we do mean fractionally) smaller overall at 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3mm, to the 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is marginally heavier though, at 221g, while the iPhone 15 Plus is 201g.
What are the disadvantages of the iPhone 15 Pro Max? ›
Here are some issues with the iPhone 15 Pro Max: Overheating: Some users have reported that their phone overheats, even to the point where they can't hold it. The overheating can happen during high-end gaming, Facetime calls, and 4K video recording. Screen burn-in: Some users have reported screen burn-in issues.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max still overheating? ›
According to Notebookcheck, Apple considers iPhone 15 Pro models running warmer than previous iPhones to be “expected behavior.” A major design change is coming to the iPhone 16 series to (finally) address this issue.
Will the iPhone 15 Pro look different? ›
One color, “natural titanium,” shows off the new metal, but withmost other colors, it isn't as immediately noticeable. But while the iPhone 15 Pro might look the same as last year's model from a distance, it's actually the biggest change to the iPhone's exterior in years.
iPhone 15 vs.
The iPhone 14 is new enough that we recommend waiting before you upgrade. The iPhone 15 brings numerous upgrades over the iPhone 14, making it a larger leap than the jump from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 14.
Who should buy the iPhone 15 Pro? ›
The bottom line: The iPhone 15 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade coming from the iPhone 12 Pro, but you should really only upgrade if you're starting to feel performance and battery life slowing down.
Will iPhone 15 have a lot of changes? ›
The iPhone 15 and 15 Pro have officially launched. The biggest change this year is that Apple is finally switching from a Lightning port to a USB-C port, meaning the phones will probably be that much easier to integrate into your charging ecosystem. But the devices have some other notable upgrades as well.
How old is iPhone 15 pro max? ›
Pre-orders began on September 15, 2023, and the devices were made available to the general public on September 22, 2023. Like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, the 15 Pro and Pro Max replace the proprietary Lightning connector with USB-C to comply with European Union mandates.
Is it worth it to upgrade iPhone 15? ›
Yes, the iPhone 15 is worth it, although we reckon it depends on what phone you're upgrading from. Still rocking an iPhone XR or an 11 with a cracked screen and a blurry camera? You're going to find levelling up to the iPhone 15 a revelation.
When iPhone 15 Pro Max is coming? ›
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in four stunning new finishes, including black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 15, with availability beginning Friday, September 22.
Will iPhone 15 Pro Max be lighter? ›
Apple says that the 6-inch iPhone 15 Pro is 187 grams, or 9% lighter than last year's model. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a bigger 6.7-inch screen, weighs 8% less. But in practice, it feels like an even bigger reduction. Going back to my old iPhone 14 Pro, it feels like a brick.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max waterproof? ›
These models have a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes): iPhone 15. iPhone 15 Plus. iPhone 15 Pro.
Can you unlock an iPhone 15 Pro Max? ›
Only your carrier can unlock your iPhone. Contact them and request an unlock.
