Apple Raises Older iPhone Prices by $100: Should You Buy Before Black Friday 2026?

Apple shoppers are facing an unusual situation this holiday season. Instead of reducing the prices of older iPhones after launching new models, Apple has increased prices on several existing devices by $100. Some MacBook models have also become significantly more expensive, making it harder for consumers to find affordable upgrades.

The price changes come as Apple deals with rising memory chip costs, driven partly by growing demand from artificial intelligence companies building large data centers.

During its November 2 earnings call, Apple's CEO John Ternus described the current increase in memory prices as unprecedented. He also indicated that higher component costs could continue beyond the holiday shopping season.

With Black Friday approaching, consumers now face an important question: Should they purchase an iPhone or MacBook immediately, or wait for possible holiday discounts?

The answer depends on the device, its availability, and whether a better deal becomes available from authorized retailers.

Which Apple Devices Became More Expensive in 2026?

Apple introduced several price increases throughout 2026. MacBooks and iPads became more expensive in June, followed by increases affecting existing iPhone models in September.

Interestingly, some of these devices received higher prices without any major hardware upgrades.

The following table highlights seven Apple products affected by the reported increases in the US market.

These are reported US starting prices before taxes, trade-ins, and other promotional conditions. Some advertised iPhone prices include carrier activation discounts.

Why Is the iPhone 16 Now More Expensive?

The iPhone 16 is a particularly interesting example because Apple originally introduced it in September 2024.

Despite being an older model, its starting price has increased to $799 for the 128GB version. Customers purchasing without eligible carrier activation may pay $829.

Meanwhile, the newer iPhone 17e starts at $699 and includes 256GB of storage.

This creates an unusual buying situation. Consumers can potentially spend less on a newer iPhone while receiving twice the starting storage capacity.

The iPhone 16 still has an advantage in certain areas, including its Ultra Wide camera, which the iPhone 17e does not offer. However, buyers should carefully compare both devices before making a decision.

Should You Buy an iPhone Now or Wait for Black Friday?

For consumers whose existing smartphones are still working properly, waiting for Black Friday could be a sensible decision.

Apple's warning about increasing memory costs does not necessarily mean another price increase will happen before the holiday shopping season.

Retailers may introduce promotional discounts, trade-in offers, and other incentives that make selected devices more affordable.

However, buyers should not assume every advertised discount represents genuine savings.

Before purchasing, compare prices from different authorized retailers, including Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart in the US market.

Pay attention to the exact model, storage configuration, and conditions attached to promotional offers.

Carrier promotions can be particularly complicated. Some advertisements promise substantial savings but require eligible trade-ins, specific mobile plans, or monthly bill credits spread across several years.

The actual benefit depends on meeting all the promotional requirements.

Cheaper Apple Alternatives Worth Considering

Consumers looking for an Apple device do not necessarily need to purchase the newest model at its full retail price.

Several alternatives could provide better value depending on their requirements.

1. Consider Apple's Certified Refurbished iPhones

Apple's Certified Refurbished store is one option for shoppers who want an older iPhone at a lower price.

According to the reported November 3 pricing, a refurbished unlocked iPhone 16 with 128GB of storage was available for $659.

For comparison, a new unlocked iPhone 16 with the same storage capacity costs $829.

Apple says its certified refurbished iPhones receive a new battery and outer shell, undergo testing, and include the same one-year warranty provided with new devices.

However, refurbished inventory can change frequently, and preferred colors or storage configurations may not always be available.

2. Compare the iPhone 17e With the iPhone 16

The iPhone 17e could be a more practical option for buyers who prioritize storage and newer hardware over additional camera features.

It starts at $699 with 256GB of storage and uses Apple's A19 processor.

By comparison, the iPhone 16 starts at a higher price despite offering only 128GB in its base configuration.

For everyday activities such as messaging, photography, social media, and video streaming, the iPhone 17e could offer better overall value.

However, people who regularly use the Ultra Wide camera may prefer the iPhone 16 if they find it at a competitive price.

3. MacBook Neo Could Save You Money

Apple's MacBook Neo is another device worth considering before purchasing the more expensive MacBook Air.

The MacBook Neo starts at $699 and uses Apple's A18 Pro chip, with 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage.

It is designed primarily for everyday computing, including:

• Internet browsing and research
• Email and office documents
• Video calls and online meetings
• Streaming and entertainment
• Basic productivity tasks

The MacBook Air, meanwhile, uses Apple's M5 chip and starts with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage.

It is better suited to users who regularly work with demanding applications.

For students who mainly need a laptop for assignments, research, and entertainment, the Neo may be sufficient. Photography and video-production professionals may benefit more from the additional capabilities of the Air.

Eligible students and educators can also check Apple's education pricing for additional savings.

Why Are Apple Products Becoming More Expensive?

One of the biggest factors behind Apple's pricing changes is the growing cost of memory chips.

Artificial intelligence companies are investing heavily in data centers that require large quantities of memory and advanced computing hardware.

This increased demand is putting pressure on the semiconductor supply chain.

Although smartphones and laptops do not necessarily use the same specialized memory as AI servers, manufacturers share production resources. Higher demand in one part of the semiconductor industry can therefore affect component availability and pricing elsewhere.

Research firm TrendForce projected further increases in conventional DRAM and NAND flash memory contract prices during the final quarter of 2026.

Apple CEO John Ternus also explained that the company had previously managed some cost increases by using memory purchased at lower prices and reducing expenses on other components.

However, those savings may become harder to maintain as component prices continue rising.

Apple reported a gross margin of 47.9% for its September quarter but expects it to fall to between 45% and 46% during the December quarter.

Higher memory costs are expected to account for much of the projected decline.

This suggests that rising component prices are becoming an increasingly important challenge for consumer electronics manufacturers.

Could MacBooks and iPads Face Supply Shortages?

Higher prices are not the only concern for Apple customers.

The company has also warned about potential supply constraints affecting MacBooks and iPads during the December quarter.

Apple COO Sabih Khan indicated during the November 2 earnings call that stronger-than-expected demand and limited memory availability could affect product supply.

This could create difficulties for customers looking for particular configurations.

For example, buyers who need a MacBook with specific memory and storage options may face longer delivery times than those purchasing standard configurations.

People who depend on their computers for professional work or education should check availability and estimated delivery dates before delaying a purchase.

However, shoppers should not rush into buying an expensive device simply because a possible shortage has been announced.

Apple's Return and Price Protection Policies

Another important consideration for Black Friday shoppers is what happens if a device becomes cheaper shortly after purchase.

Under Apple's standard US return policy, most eligible products purchased directly from Apple can be returned within 14 calendar days of receipt.

Apple also offers price protection when it reduces the regular price of an eligible product within 14 days of the customer receiving it.

However, temporary promotional events and special sales, including Black Friday, are excluded from this price-protection policy.

This means customers should not automatically expect Apple to refund the difference if a special holiday promotion appears after their purchase.

Before placing an order, check the applicable return conditions and promotional terms.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Waiting for Black Friday 2026?

Apple's latest pricing changes show how rising semiconductor and memory costs are affecting the consumer electronics market.

Older iPhones are no longer guaranteed to become cheaper when newer models arrive. In some cases, newer devices may actually offer better value than their predecessors.

For shoppers who do not urgently need a replacement, waiting for Black Friday promotions is a reasonable approach.

However, customers who need a particular MacBook configuration for work or education should monitor availability and delivery estimates.

The smartest buying strategy is to compare refurbished products, newer alternatives, retailer promotions, and the final price after trade-in or carrier conditions.

Ultimately, Apple's rising component costs may create further pricing pressure, but that does not mean consumers should purchase immediately without comparing their options.