I’m still glad I bought the iPhone 16 Pro before the summer, regardless of tariffs or not

Earlier this month, I panicked and bought my iPhone, and I don’t regret it. Sometime after Donald Trump announced the “Liberation Day” tariffs, I upgraded to the new iPhone 16 Pro, but before he added most of the Apple products to the exemption list.

My family usually sticks to a three-year rotation plan, which usually offsets the price of a new phone – and every year, one of us receives a new phone. We never got rid of the installment plan, but that means our bills won’t rise too much until we pay off the last one. It was my turn to rise until this fall.

I’m going to buy 16 professionals, hoping that when the rumored iPhone 17 line comes out, I can find a discount. However, since I have 11, I know that the trade value may fade out soon. My phone doesn’t work properly either, so waiting until autumn feels like gambling. To increase the risk of high tariffs and supply chain shortages to this equation, I think it would be four more months to pay for the additional installment plan in exchange for a job call.

Experts have supported me, which is probably how most of us use installment plans to buy phone calls, reducing the sticker shock of monthly payments – even if tariffs lead to price increases.

“Yes, at some stage this could add $50, but over time we’ll spread it,” said Ryan Reith, group vice president of IDC’s global device tracker suite, which includes phones, tablets and wearables.

I’m glad I did. If you are considering buying a new iPhone, here is what you need to know about the current tariff situation and how they affect prices in the coming months.

Will tariffs increase iPhone prices?

The latest episode of the ongoing tariff soap opera began last week with the U.S. and China agreeing to a 90-day pause on most selling tat tariffs. By mid-week, Trump warned Apple for moving U.S. iPhone production to India, which now has its own temporary tariff pause (except baseline tariffs) before facing a 26% tariff in July. perhaps.

Although the company is rushing to ship products before the tariff deadline, we have seen prices for a wide range of products rise soon after, if you can find them. We are using the tariff pricing tracker to track the actual impact of tariffs on popular technology products.

But experts say that no matter what happens to the tariffs, the price of the iPhone may be on the way.

“The price of iPhone will increase,” said Patrick Holland, executive editor of CNET. [hike] In 2020. ”

When tariffs end up, you should now be ready to rise with potential prices for electronics and more. We have other options to help you save on your iPhone.

Read more: Report

How much can tariffs increase iPhone prices? We do math

If the full cost of the current tariff is finally passed to shoppers, we can see a 26% increase in Apple products produced in India to an increase of 145%. But currently, goods from India and other countries have a 10% tariff on China, and iPhones produced in China are still subject to a 30% tariff, including a 10% baseline and a 20% “fentanyl tariff” for the country’s so-called role in allowing fentanyl to enter the United States. This may affect the price of the iPhone:

However, the iPhone costs a lot more than simply assembled. Apple’s products come from a wide range of countries that may face higher tariffs after a pause. Tariffs on goods do not necessarily mean that the price will increase by the same amount. If companies want to stay competitive, they can absorb some costs to keep prices down.

“In terms of tariffs, it won’t be as high as 1-to-1,” Rees said. “Mathematics is not as clear as tariffs.”

Apple did not respond to a request for comment from an earlier version of the story.

When can we see iPhone prices rise?

It is not clear when prices will rise, but if companies sell from equipment produced before the tariff, they may have to increase the price of tariff freight products.

But even if Apple can’t completely avoid tariffs, it can offset the impact through its services, including its music, news and data plans.

“Apple will likely absorb some tariff costs ahead of time to keep sticker prices stable, and then gradually pass on its remaining price to consumers through service bundles, equipment life and ecosystem upgrades,” he said. “Consumers will still pay, just once.”

Regardless of how the tariff drama works, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple plans to raise iPhone prices later this year. Therefore, prices are expected to rise soon.

Watch the following: Buy or wait guide: How the tariffs will change technical prices and what to do next

01:21

What is the latest tariff?

On his Liberation Day, Trump announced a benchmark tariff of 10% on all imports and imports from more than 180 countries. He quickly announced a 90-day pause on the countdown tariffs, but would impose a baseline levy.

The tariffs Trump has long touted are a way to even trade deficits and raise incomes to offset tax cuts, although many economists say tariffs could lead to higher prices and could ultimately harm the U.S. economy. Shares plummeted after Trump announced the news as the market was less responsive to the widespread tariffs.

Trump has taken a particularly firm stance on China, which has been subject to tariffs ordered by Trump in his first term in office. He began in February, imposing a 20% tariff, and then in April, 34% tariffs on Chinese goods. He increased the tariff by 50%, and then eventually landed on the 145% tariff on China. After each of Trump’s announcements, China responded with its own tariffs. They agreed to a deal reached this week, reducing its countdown tariffs by 115 percentage points to 90 days.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection lists some key consumer electronic devices, but Trump said the products will still be subject to 20% fentanyl tariffs. White House officials say the probation on additional tariffs is temporary and these products will be subject to “semiconductor tariffs.”

Even before Trump announced tariffs, Apple’s largest supplier in India issued nearly $2 billion worth of iPhones in March, according to customs records. Apple may report that it may offer iPhones from India to the U.S. market by the end of 2026, though perhaps not all. Trump recently said he pushed Apple CEO Tim Cook to shift U.S. iPhone production from India to the U.S.

But at least, due to labor costs and logistics, at least for now, the cost of producing to the United States can be high.

In theory, tariffs are intended to affect other countries financially because their goods are being taxed. The tariffs are paid for importing products from U.S. companies, and this UpCharge usually (but not always) transfers it to consumers at a higher price.

Is it better to buy technology now or wait?

If you’ve already planned to buy a new iPhone, gaming console, MacBook or other technology, buying it now may save you money. However, if you don’t need a new phone, the Netherlands recommends waiting.

“If the iPhone price goes up, you know that, like a car, the price of used iPhones can also go up,” he said. “If Apple does raise the price, then when you trade, you may offer more prices for your old iPhone, which should offset the price increase.”

If you don’t have cash on hand and are considering using a credit card or buying it now, pay later to avoid tariffs, make sure you have the money to pay before you start charging interest. With the average interest rate on your credit card currently exceeding 20%, the cost of large purchase financing can quickly eliminate any savings you buy before the price rises due to tariffs.

“If you fund this fee on a credit card and cannot be fully paid in one to two months, you may end up spending more,” said Alaina Fingal, an accountant, founder of Organized Currency and a member of the CNET Currency Review Board. “I recommend you stop at any large purchases until the economy is more stable.”

Even if prices rise, one way to save on Apple products is to buy last year’s model instead of the latest or used one. Those who trade or sell second-hand can help offset the cost more.

“Apple tends toward this situation with a certified renovation program, just like the used car model in the automotive industry,” Hudicaka said. “The program helps extend the life of the device, allowing customers in the Apple ecosystem to spend longer while distributing costs over time.”