Record expensive production of iPhone 15 smartphones could lead to higher prices for the iPhone 16

This year's production of iPhone 15 smartphones was a record-breaking cost for Apple, with iPhone 15 costs significantly higher than last year's iPhone 14 models. According to analysts, this could affect the cost of future iPhone 16s.

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The cost of all iPhone 15 Pro Max parts is estimated at $558, and that's 12 per cent more than the production cost of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro Max telephoto lens costs $30, which is 380% more than the previous model. The titanium frame costs $50 (+43%) and the A17 Pro processor costs $130 (+27%).

In comparison, between 2018 and 2021, the total cost of parts for Apple iPhone Pro Max models ranged from $400 to $450. In 2022, components rose in price by about 20%, and reached a record high of $558 this year.

The cost of the iPhone 15 has also gone up: it's $423, which is 16% more than the iPhone 14. The total price of iPhone 15 Plus components reached $442 (+10%), while the iPhone 15 Pro reached $523 (+8%).

Despite the increased price of parts, Apple did not raise the price of the iPhone 15 lineup. The only change was the discontinuation of the Pro Max model with 128 GB, so the base configuration costs $100 more because of the increased storage.

Tokyo-based research firm Fomalhaut Techno Solutions, which works with the Nikkei, believes that this could lead to a drop in Apple's profits. As a result, the company will be forced to raise the prices of the iPhone 16 lineup next year.

Source: Nikkei Asia, Macrumors