Huge iPhone 16 price hike coming? iPhone 15 costs point that way
Photo Credit: HT Tech
The iPhone 15 has been experiencing a surge in parts costs, notably affecting the iPhone 15 Pro Max model. This points to a likely iPhone 16 price hike.
Photo Credit: Apple
Apple's choice of a titanium frame increased costs by 43% compared to the prior stainless steel frame on iPhone 14.
The 5x telephoto camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max component saw a staggering 280% increase in cost compared to the previous 3x module.
Photo Credit: Apple
A report by 9to5Mac analyzed the component costs for the base model iPhone 15 Pro Max, estimating a total cost of $558, which is 12% higher than the equivalent iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Photo Credit: Apple
Key component cost breakdown for the iPhone 15 Pro Max includes the A17 Pro chip at $130 (27% increase) and the display at $115 (10% increase)
The frame cost rose by 43%, while the telephoto camera's cost increased by 280%.
Photo Credit: Apple
Over the years, from 2018 to 2021, Apple faced substantial cost increases in producing its equivalent models.
Photo Credit: Apple
Despite these cost challenges, Apple managed to reduce costs on storage due to declining prices of NAND flash memory chips.
Photo Credit: Apple
Apple maintained its U.S. iPhone prices for most models, except for the top-tier iPhone 15 Pro Max model, suggesting a cautious approach to price increases.
Photo Credit: Apple
As parts prices are expected to continue rising, there is speculation of potential price hikes for the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup.