Except for the Pro, Wall Street expects the iPhone 17 "won't increase in price," with the thinnest iPhone 17 Air being the main highlight.

``` On the eve of Apple’s autumn product launch event, Wall Street investment bank J.P. Morgan released a research report on September 2nd, “revealing in advance” the core highlights and pricing suspense of the iPhone 17 series. According to Chasing Wind Trading Desk, the report predicts that among the upcoming iPhone 17 series, except for the Pro model whose starting price may increase by $100 due to doubled base storage, the starting prices of the iPhone 17 standard version and Pro Max version are expected to remain unchanged. Meanwhile, a brand new slim and light model intended to replace the “Plus” version—called “iPhone 17 Air”—is expected to debut for the first time. Its market acceptance and final pricing are seen as key variables that will impact Apple's performance in the new fiscal year. iPhone 17 “Air” Debut: Could It Be the Surprise? According to J.P. Morgan’s report, the biggest highlight of this year’s iPhone lineup is expected to be the launch of the “iPhone 17 Air.” This new model will replace the “Plus” version, which received lukewarm response in past generations. Citing supply chain sources, the report notes that the iPhone 17 Air’s main selling point is its extreme thinness. Its body thickness is only 5.5mm, at least 2.0mm thinner than the Pro version, making it Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever; its weight is about 145g, nearly the same as the iPhone 13 Mini (141g) from years ago. Despite its slimness, some features reach Pro level, such as a 6.6-inch ProMotion display (120Hz refresh rate) and 12GB of RAM. However, to achieve the slim design, there are corresponding tradeoffs, such as likely adopting a single 48MP rear camera and a battery capacity (estimated 2,800mAh) significantly less than other models. J.P. Morgan points out that Apple’s initial planned production volume for this model is about 10–15 million units, indicating a relatively cautious approach. But analysts believe that if its slim design can successfully appeal to groups of consumers beyond expectations, the iPhone 17 Air still has potential to become the “surprise” of this product cycle. Pro Version Price Hike in Disguise, Most Models’ Prices Stay Same Price is always a top concern for consumers. J.P. Morgan predicts that except for the Pro model, prices of the iPhone 17 series will remain basically stable. Specifically: - iPhone 17 standard starting price is expected to be $799, same as previous generation. - iPhone 17 Pro Max starting price is expected to be $1,199, also unchanged. - iPhone 17 Air expected to be priced between $899–$949, replacing the $899 iPhone 16 Plus. - iPhone 17 Pro expected starting price will increase from $999 to $1,099. It’s noteworthy that the Pro model’s price increase is not a simple price hike. The report emphasizes that its base storage is expected to double from 128GB to 256GB. This means Apple is raising the starting price by eliminating the lower-storage version, so the price for the same capacity remains unchanged for users. However, this move will break the eight-year streak of the Pro model’s $999 starting price. China as the Key Market: Pricing Game under Subsidy Threshold J.P. Morgan’s report specifically highlights the decisive impact of the Chinese market on iPhone sales. The report notes that the Chinese market is highly sensitive to price, and whether consumers can enjoy smartphone subsidies is a critical factor for demand. Currently, mobile phones priced below 6,000 RMB (about $840) are eligible for certain platform or carrier discounts. The iPhone 17 Air’s estimated starting price of $899 is clearly above this threshold. The report sees this as a key point of contention. If Apple can ultimately lower the Air’s price to about $800, making it eligible for subsidies, it will greatly stimulate sales in China and inject new life into what could otherwise be lukewarm expectations. Event Product Launch Summary iPhone 17 Series Expectations: - iPhone 17 Air: Estimated thickness of 5.5mm, more than 2mm thinner than the Pro model, becoming the thinnest iPhone ever. - Display: Base iPhone 17 display is expected to increase to 6.3 inches (vs. iPhone 16’s 6.1 inches); Pro and Pro Max maintain at 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively; 17 Air is about 6.6 inches. - ProMotion Technology: 120Hz refresh rate ProMotion display may expand across the whole lineup, previously limited to the Pro models. - Camera Design: Pro models expected to use a horizontally rectangular camera bump spanning the width of the iPhone, instead of the typical square bump. - Camera Specs: Pro models expected to feature a 24MP front camera (previously 12MP), 48MP telephoto (previously 12MP), making all three rear cameras 48MP. The updated telephoto could support 8x optical zoom (previously 5x). - Internal Chips: Pro models expected to have an internal Wifi chip; 17 Air expected to use internal C1 modem. - RAM: Pro models expected to use 12GB RAM (previously 8GB). - Processor: iPhone 17 series to feature the A19 chip (3nm); Pro models use the A19 Pro version. - Storage and Price: Pro base storage may rise from 128GB to 256GB, with a price increase of about $100. Apple Watch: - Apple Watch 11: Expected to get minimal upgrades. Report notes if a blood pressure sensor is launched, it would be a surprise. - Apple Watch Ultra 3: Features satellite connectivity, seen as the key upgrade over Watch Ultra 2. Risk Disclaimer The market is risky; investments require caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account individual users' specific investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions expressed here are suitable for their particular circumstances. Invest accordingly at your own risk. ```