Is the iPhone 17 Pro Really Worth $1,049?

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

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The price hike is more than just an increase; it’s part of a value play that addresses long-standing complaints about storage issues, particularly with lower-tier base models. The leaker, known as Instant Digital, has a solid track record and previously predicted similar changes for the iPhone 17 Pro. This information aligns with previous claims from Jefferies, which speculated a $50 increase across the lineup except for the base model.

The shift in storage capacity is driven by growing demands for apps, videos, and AI features that consume more space. Offering 256GB as standard helps future-proof the devices, benefiting users in the long run. Although the price hike has been rumored before, Apple hasn’t officially announced the iPhone 17 Pro yet, potentially releasing it on September 9.

Despite these developments, users should approach the news with caution until official confirmation. Do you think the higher price tag is justified by the upgraded base storage?