Think the thousand-dollar iPhone was expensive? Get ready, because Apple just shattered that ceiling—and the future of smartphones may never look the same.

When Apple introduced the iPhone X back in 2017, it wasn’t just another flashy gadget drop. It set a new gold standard in tech, not just with Face ID and a stunning edge-to-edge screen, but with a jaw-dropping price tag: the first $1,000 smartphone. Fast forward eight years and prices have nudged only slightly upward, even as inflation soared and features stacked up. The iPhone 17 Pro now lands at $1,099—a $100 increase since 2017. Even the entry-level iPhones have stayed surprisingly steady, going from $699 to $799 in that time.

But this week, as the world held its breath over possible price hikes and tariff-driven drama, Apple’s moves were subtler than expected. Tariffs from President Trump had analysts sounding alarm bells, and shoppers were bracing for impact, some even rushing to stores early in 2025, afraid prices would skyrocket. Yet, Apple’s restraint was on display: the Pro models crept up by just $100, but got double the storage. The new iPhone Air replaced the 16 Plus, also up $100, and in Singapore, it clocks in at $1,599. All things considered? Not as wallet-busting as some feared.

However, here’s the twist: That moderation is not here to stay. Apple can’t eat tariff costs forever, and moving factories from China to India won’t shield the company—or your bank account—from future price hikes. The company’s latest move makes that crystal clear: the 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max, now with a mind-blowing two terabytes of storage, is selling for a staggering $1,999. That’s right—the era of the $2,000 iPhone has officially arrived. Apple wouldn’t charge such an eye-watering amount if it didn’t believe hordes of loyal fans would line up anyway. And with people relying on iPhones for everything from banking to health management, CEO Tim Cook is betting big that fans will pay top dollar for the latest tech in their pockets.

But wait, it gets wilder. Apple’s first foldable iPhone is set to hit shelves in 2026, aiming to rival Samsung and Google’s cutting-edge foldables, which already cost up to $2,419. With the single-screen iPhone Air now at $999, you can bet that foldable model will soar to even higher price points—before you’ve even started adding those must-have upgrades and accessories.

Looking ahead, Apple is quietly working on a radical 20-year anniversary edition, the iPhone 20, which could reinvent the price scale all over again, just as the iPhone X did for the $1,000 norm. This AI generated newscast about iPhone price hikes is more than just a tech update—it’s a sneak peek at the new normal of premium pricing in the devices we can’t live without.

For those keeping score: the iPhone’s journey from $1,000 luxury to a possible $2,500-plus foldable dream machine is only just getting started. And if history is any guide, Apple’s devoted fans will be there, ready and waiting to snap up the latest and greatest, no matter the price tag. This AI generated newscast about Apple’s latest move just might make you rethink your upgrade plans!