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Inflation-adjusted iPhone prices show smaller gap than perceived

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

Despite perceptions of rapidly increasing costs, the price gap between early iPhones and current models is narrower than expected when adjusted for inflation and carrier subsidies. While the original iPhone cost $499 in 2007, its inflation-adjusted price is over $800, comparable to the $899 iPhone 17. Early models were often subsidized by two-year AT&T contracts, which included expensive monthly data plans, a model that has shifted to unlocked devices today. Modern iPhones offer significantly more advanced hardware and features, justifying their price points for many users. AI

RANK_REASON Article discusses historical pricing and inflation of a product, offering analysis rather than a new release or significant industry event.

Read on Engadget →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

Inflation-adjusted iPhone prices show smaller gap than perceived

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2 / 100
Composite score across the factors below. Higher = stronger signal that this story matters right now.
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Commentary
Article discusses historical pricing and inflation of a product, offering analysis rather than a new release or significant industry event.
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Only one publisher covered this so far. Single-source stories can still rank when the publisher is high-authority, but they lack cross-source corroboration.
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product, other
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Low
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Breaking (< 6h)
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Full methodology in our editorial standards.

COVERAGE [1]

  1. Engadget TIER_1 English(EN) · [email protected] (Roger Fingas) ·

    How much did an iPhone cost in 2007 vs. 2026? The gap is smaller than you think

    The first iPhone launched at $499 in 2007. See how that price compares to today's models once inflation, storage and features are factored in.

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