iPhone 17 Pro to Launch with 256GB Base Storage, Starting at $1,049 Amid Series-Wide Price Hike

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is expected to debut on September 9, 2025, with all models seeing a $50 price bump. The iPhone 17 Pro base model is tipped to offer 256GB storage.

As Apple gears up for its highly anticipated iPhone 17 launch event next month—reportedly scheduled for September 9, 2025—fresh leaks suggest higher starting prices and notable upgrades for the upcoming lineup. Most significantly, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to ditch its 128GB variant and offer 256GB storage as standard, pushing its base price to $1,049 (approx. ₹92,000) in the U.S.

According to a leak from Chinese tipster Instant Digital, shared via Weibo, Apple will implement a $50 price increase across all iPhone 17 models, citing rising component costs and China tariffs as the primary reasons.

💵 Expected Prices for the iPhone 17 Series

♦ iPhone 17: $849 (approx. ₹74,000)

♦ iPhone 17 Air: $949 (approx. ₹83,000)

♦ iPhone 17 Pro: $1,049 (approx. ₹92,000)

♦ iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,249 (approx. ₹1,09,500)

These increases mark one of Apple’s most significant pricing shifts in recent years, further hinting at substantial hardware and design upgrades—particularly for the Pro models.

🔍 Why the Price Hike?

The Wall Street Journal has also reported Apple’s internal deliberations on a price hike, supporting this latest leak. The move is reportedly driven by:

♦ Increased manufacturing costs

♦ Supply chain pressures

♦ Tariffs on Chinese imports

♦ Major upgrades in performance, camera systems, and AI capabilities

While base models like the iPhone 17 may retain similar design elements to their predecessors, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are shaping up to offer significant value-adds that could justify the steeper price.

📏 What’s New in the iPhone 17 Series?

Apple is expected to unveil four models in this generation:

♦ iPhone 17

♦ iPhone 17 Air – Reportedly the slimmest iPhone ever, at just 5.5mm thickness

♦ iPhone 17 Pro – Tipped for performance, design, and camera enhancements

♦ iPhone 17 Pro Max – Expected to mirror Pro specs, with a larger form factor

Among these, the iPhone 17 Pro is poised to be the most compelling upgrade, particularly due to AI-driven features, design overhauls, and its new default 256GB storage.

🗣️ Final Take

With Apple’s 2025 launch just weeks away, the iPhone 17 series appears to be a blend of subtle refinements and high-end innovation. While the price hike may concern some users, early indications suggest the Pro models could deliver real value, especially for users seeking advanced performance and storage.