Apple has long been known for pushing boundaries — not just in technology, but also in pricing. With the launch of the iPhone 17 series, the company has quietly introduced its priciest model yet, inching customers closer to the reality of $2,000 smartphones.
A Decade of Stable iPhone Pricing
Back in 2017, the iPhone X redefined the smartphone category with Face ID and an edge-to-edge OLED display. It also introduced the $1,000 iPhone, a price point that was shocking at the time. Yet, in the eight years since, Apple has increased prices only modestly. The iPhone 17 Pro now starts at $1,099, just $100 more than the iPhone X. Similarly, the entry-level iPhone costs $799, only slightly higher than in 2017.
The First $2,000 iPhone Variant
This year, Apple crossed a major milestone: the iPhone 17 Pro Max now offers a 2TB storage option priced at $1,999. While most buyers may not opt for this variant, its very existence signals Apple’s belief that a portion of its customer base is ready to pay nearly $2,000 for a phone.
What Comes Next: Foldable iPhones
The pricing trajectory points toward an even costlier future. Apple is expected to release its first foldable iPhone in 2026, competing with Samsung and Google’s foldable devices, which already retail between $1,799 and $2,419. Since the single-screen iPhone Air costs $999, the foldable version will likely start at twice that price — without factoring in storage or accessories.
The iPhone 20: A New Benchmark
Looking further ahead, Apple is said to be working on a radical iPhone 20, timed for its 20-year anniversary. Just as the iPhone X set the $1,000 standard, the iPhone 20 may establish a new “normal” at an even higher price point.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has made it clear: customers are willing to stretch for premium devices that are now integral to daily life — from payments to health monitoring. The $2,000 iPhone era is no longer a question of if, but when.
