iPhone 16 Series Could Get 30% Pricier Due to New US Tariffs, Says Analyst

Highlights

• The iPhone 16 series could see a price hike of up to 30% in the US due to new tariffs.
• Apple faces uncertainty in managing tariff costs, limited production diversification outside China and significant potential cost increases globally.
• Apple’s shares dropped by 20% amid concerns about demand.
• Analysts warn of increased iPhone prices and reduced earnings per share.

Caption – Apple iPhone could get pricier this year as a result of the new tariff policy change. (Image credit – Apple)

The iPhone 16 series might see a big price hike, and it’s all because of fresh US tariffs announced recently by President Donald Trump. According to UBS analyst Sundeep Gantori, the top-end iPhone 16 Pro Max could get up to 30% more expensive in the US.

That’s because Apple still depends heavily on its manufacturing facilities in China, and the new tariffs directly target products made there. Gantori estimates that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could see a price jump of around $350 (roughly ₹30,000), taking its starting price to nearly $1,550 (about ₹1,33,000) in the US.

For comparison, the current model starts at $1,199 (around ₹1,03,000) and sells for ₹1,44,900 in India.

Even with the price hike, the phone would still be cheaper in the US than in India, but nothing’s official yet. These are just early predictions based on analysis by UBS.

Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 16 Pro might get a smaller increase of about $120, especially if Apple manages to shift more of its production to India, according to CNBC.

Apple’s Uncertain Supply Chain

In a note shared by UBS, Gantori pointed out that Apple’s supply chain is still figuring things out. He said, “Based on the checks we have done at a company level, there is a lot of uncertainty about how the increased cost sharing will be done with suppliers, the extent to which costs can be passed on to end-customers, and the duration of tariffs.”

As of now, the timing of the tariff announcement has already shaken things up. Apple’s shares have reportedly dropped by around 20% in just three trading days, wiping out nearly $640 billion in market value. Analysts say this drop shows growing concern that higher iPhone prices could hurt demand, especially with consumer spending already under pressure.

Apple is among the companies most affected by this trade policy change. China is now facing a 54% import tariff on electronics. Even though Apple has tried to diversify production to countries like India, Vietnam, and Thailand, those places are also facing some new tariffs.

Earlier, JPMorgan predicted that iPhone prices could rise by 6% globally if these aggressive tariffs go ahead. Barclays’ Tim Long also warned that Apple might have no choice but to raise prices or else face a potential 15% drop in earnings per share.

In a worst-case scenario, Wedbush analysts said that if Apple moved all iPhone production to the US, a single device could cost as much as $3,500, mainly due to high local manufacturing costs and a lack of proper infrastructure.

Morgan Stanley added that Apple could face up to $34 billion in extra costs every year under the new tariff plan. Even with all the recent moves to diversify production, most of Apple’s manufacturing still happens outside the US, and now, nearly all of that is subject to tariffs.

FAQs

Q1. Why might the iPhone 16 series experience a price hike in the US?

Answer. The price hike is attributed to new tariffs targeting products made in China, where Apple heavily relies on manufacturing facilities.

Q2. How much could the iPhone 16 Pro Max cost due to these tariffs?

Answer. The iPhone 16 Pro Max could see a price increase of up to $350, raising its starting price to approximately $1,550 in the US.

Q3. What challenges is Apple facing due to the tariffs?

Answer. Apple’s supply chain struggles to handle increased cost-sharing with suppliers, diversify production outside China, and manage potential $34 billion annual tariff costs.

Also Read: iPhone 16 Series Pre-Orders Begin Today in India – Key Details, Booking Process, and Launch Date

Also Read: iPhone 16 Pro Max Production Cost Estimate (BOM) Revealed