Study Shows Current iPhone Prices Are 81% Higher Than in 2007 GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO News > Phones
Study Shows Current iPhone Prices Are 81% Higher Than in 2007
That adds up to $437 per smartphone
By Lawrence Bonk Lawrence Bonk News Reporter Florida State University Lawrence Bonk is a tech news reporter for Lifewire, specializing in gaming, AI, VR, and consumer tech, including iOS, macOS, wearables, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on October 14, 2021 12:39PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Phones Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming If you think Apple's flagship smartphones are getting more expensive year after year, you're likely on to something. Apple iPhone prices are 81% higher worldwide than they were when the first model launched in 2007, according to a recent study conducted by credit-repair service Self. This breaks down to a $437 increase per unit sold throughout the world. Narrowing the analysis down to just America shows a 60% increase in cost per unit, totaling $300. To put this in simple terms, the first iPhone cost $499 in America, while the latest iPhone 13 base model costs $799. Yousef Sarhan Of course, there are factors such as inflation and purchasing power to consider. Most countries have experienced an increase in inflation and a growth in purchasing power since 2007. Even with these variables, however, Apple iPhones have rocketed up in price in the past 14 years. On average, these price hikes outpace inflationary rates by 26%. There is also technology to consider. Modern iPhones are very different animals from their 2007 counterparts. The first iPhone included just 4GB of flash memory, a battery that lasted around six hours, and just one 2.0 megapixel rear camera. The Retina display didn’t exist yet, nor did Touch ID, facial recognition technology, or good-ole Siri. Facetime wasn’t even available until the iPhone 4. According to the study, the United Arab Emirates has experienced the largest increase in iPhone prices, with the latest iteration costing more than twice what it did when it originally launched. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire iPhone 14: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News Which Is Cheaper: Uber or Taxi? Apple Watch Ultra: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News Kensun Portable Tire Inflator Review: Sturdy, Reliable, and Portable iPhone 13: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News Apple Watch Series 8: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News The Foldable iPhone: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors New iPad Pro 2022: Price, Release Date, Specs, and News What Are AirPods and How Do They Work? What You Need to Know About the True Cost of an iPhone The 3 Best Portable Tire Inflators, Tested by Lifewire All About the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program What Is a Contrast Ratio? iPhone 13 Review: The Best Apple Phone for the Masses Samsung Galaxy S9 Review: The Price is Right Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 Review: More Connectivity, Control, and Insights Than the Original Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies