The change moved the entry price for an iPhone 16 from $699 to $799 effectively overnight.
This shift significantly alters the cost of entry for consumers seeking more affordable hardware.
For instance, the iPhone 17E with 256GB of storage now costs $699, up from its $599 launch price, while the standard iPhone 17 has moved from $799 to $899.
This pricing strategy arrives as Apple focuses its latest marketing efforts on high-end flagship models, such as the new iPhone 18 Pro, which carries a starting price of $1,199.
The price adjustments coincide with notable gaps and additions in Apple's current product strategy.
While the company introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and its first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, it notably skipped the release of a base iPhone 18 during the September event.
Consequently, customers looking for a standard or mid-range model are currently limited to older versions that now carry a higher price tag than they did prior to the announcement.