Apple will bump the RAM to 12GB and the base storage to 256GB on at least three iPhone 17 models. Combined with other improvements, TrendForce analysts believe the iPhone 17 Pro will cost $100 more than its predecessor.
Yet, the analysts project the iPhone 17 lineup will see a 3.5% increase in shipments over the 2024 iPhone 16.
iPhone 17 Air may get Pro-level RAM
Apple will shake up its iPhone lineup this year, ditching the iPhone 17 Plus in favor of a super-slim iPhone 17 Air. The phone will sit between the base iPhone 17 and the Pro models, with its sleek design being the highlight.
TrendForce analysts believe the iPhone 17 Air will use an A19 chip — the same as the base iPhone 17. But it will pack more RAM, supposedly shipping with 12GB LPDDR5X memory, the same as its upcoming Pro siblings. As previously detailed, the additional RAM should help with AI tasks. For comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro lineup ships with 8GB of system memory.
The two Pro phones will use a faster A19 Pro chip to deliver even better performance.
The slim iPhone 17 Air will purportedly feature a silicon anode battery, helping maximize the internal space. Yet, TrendForce analysts believe the phone may not please power users, who prefer long battery life and good cameras. And so, they expect the initial iPhone 17 Air shipments to be in line with those of previous Plus models.
All iPhone 17 models could cost more except one
With a faster processor, more RAM, other upgrades and tariffs, TrendForce analysts expect Apple to bump the iPhone 17 prices this year. While the base iPhone 17 should still start at $799, the iPhone 17 Air may cost $1,099. That’s the same price Apple currently sells the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro in the US.
They predict prices for the iPhone 17 Pro will start from $1,199, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max climbing to $1,299. That’s a $100 increase from the 256GB variant from last year. Apple could tie up with carriers to offer attractive trade-in deals to soften the blow of the price increase.
Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple’s products and ecosystem.
