Elevated production expenses for the iPhone 15 might lead to a price hike for the upcoming iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 15’s fabrication costs have surpassed those of the iPhone 14 from the previous year, setting a new benchmark for component expenses.
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The estimated cost for the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands at $558, showing a 12% jump from the iPhone 14 Pro Max unveiled in 2022. This sets a new standard for iPhone component expenses. Between 2018 and 2021, the Pro Max versions of iPhones had parts costing between $400 and $450. After a roughly 20% surge in 2022, the costs peaked at $558 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s telephoto lens now commands a $30 price tag, marking a substantial 380% surge from its predecessor. The titanium framework is priced at $50, reflecting a 43% hike from the earlier stainless steel versions. The A17 Pro chip’s price is $130, indicating a 27% growth from the A16 Bionic.
The remaining iPhone 15 models have also witnessed a surge in component prices. The iPhone 15 has costs tallying to $423, showing a 16% growth from the iPhone 14. The iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro have seen a price escalation by 10% ($442) and 8% ($523) respectively.
Even with these increased costs, Apple maintained its pricing for this year, opting to shoulder the additional expenses. One notable alteration was the discontinuation of the 128GB Pro Max variant, compelling users to shell out an extra $100 for the starting 256GB version.
According to market research firm Fomalhaut Techno Solutions, if Apple persists in bearing these heightened manufacturing costs, it might see an impact on its profit margins. This could potentially lead Apple to consider pricing adjustments for the iPhone 16 series.
