If you’re considering upgrading your Apple device, now might be the right time. New tariffs announced by Donald Trump could lead to sharp increases in the prices of iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple products in the near future, according to analysts and market watchers.
The former US president has imposed an additional 34 per cent tariff on imports from China, on top of the existing 20 per cent. Since a significant portion of Apple’s supply chain still runs through China, experts suggest that product prices could climb by as much as 40 to 43 per cent if the company chooses to pass the costs on to consumers.
For instance, the iPhone 16e, currently priced at $599, could shoot up to $856, while the base iPhone 16 could jump from $799 to around $1,140 — prices nearing the current iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Research firms like Rosenblatt Securities and Counterpoint Research estimate Apple would need to raise iPhone and Apple Watch prices by more than 40 per cent to fully offset the tariffs. Others, such as Morgan Stanley, suggest smaller but still significant hikes of around 17 to 18 per cent.
Although Apple has diversified some production to Vietnam, India, and other countries, those locations are also covered under the new tariff rules. Industry insiders believe that unless there is a policy shift or an exemption, price increases are inevitable.
To cushion the blow, Apple is said to be boosting supplies in the US before the April 9 deadline, after which the tariffs will apply to any incoming shipments. However, once current stocks run low, Apple will face tough choices: absorb the costs and take a hit to its margins or pass them on to consumers.
While Apple has historically delayed price hikes until a new product cycle — such as the expected launch of the iPhone 17 this autumn — experts doubt the company will be able to hold out for long.
There’s also little clarity on whether Apple will receive any tariff exemptions, unlike during Trump’s previous term when the company was spared duties on some products. So far, no exemptions have been announced, and the executive order does not offer a clear path for companies to apply for them.
With no concrete sign of policy reversal and economic uncertainty still looming, industry watchers say buyers who’ve been holding off on upgrades may want to act fast before prices climb.
Read next: Apple unveils their new iPhone 16e, discontinues iPhone SE 4
