Apple is preparing to raise prices for its upcoming iPhone lineup, set to launch this autumn, as per a report from The Wall Street Journal citing unnamed sources. However, the tech giant (Apple) is aiming to distance these increases from the ongoing U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. Instead, Apple may attribute the price hikes to advancements in features and design, according to insider information from its supply chain.
The trade war between the U.S. and China has posed significant challenges for Apple, with the increased tariffs potentially costing the company an estimated $900 million in the third quarter alone. While Apple has not confirmed that the tariffs will directly affect iPhone prices, the company has been shifting a larger portion of its production from China to India as part of its strategy to mitigate the financial impact of tariffs.
Recently, the U.S. and China agreed to suspend new tariffs for 90 days to facilitate further negotiations. Furthermore, the U.S. government announced significant tariff exemptions for several tech products, including smartphones, laptops, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. However, a prior 20% tariff on Chinese goods still remains in place.
On the innovation front, Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil an ultra-thin iPhone later this year as part of its new lineup. Insiders and multiple tech outlets have speculated that this design will be one of the standout features of upcoming models.
Looking further ahead, Apple has even more ambitious plans for its iconic device. According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple aims to release a “mostly glass, curved iPhone” in 2027 to mark the product’s 20th anniversary. This futuristic model is rumored to eliminate the cutout entirely, creating a seamless design. Apple had similarly introduced the iPhone X in 2017 to celebrate the product’s 10th anniversary, marking its last major redesign.
For now, all eyes remain on Apple’s fall launch, where the company is expected to pair its new designs with a strategic balancing act between pricing and innovation amidst complex global trade dynamics.
