For the previous 5 generations of iPhone, Apple has offered a 6.7-inch Max mannequin at a set worth of $1,099 regardless of persistent rumors of a worth hike. However this 12 months’s rumor of a better beginning worth for Apple’s flagship iPhone is likely to be true.

Based on LeaksApplePro, Apple is seeking to improve the value of its largest telephone by as a lot as $200, bringing it to $1,299 when it arrives subsequent fall. The leaker claims “it’s nearly unimaginable” for Apple to promote the brand new telephone on the similar $1,099 price ticket, though he’s much less sure about worth hikes for the opposite fashions.

There are a number of causes to consider this rumor. For one, it’s fairly clear that Apple has been contemplating increased costs for a while: there have been such sturdy rumors that Apple was bumping the value of the iPhone 14 Professional by $100 it was shocking when it arrived on the similar $1,099 worth. For an additional, manufacturing prices will reportedly be increased for the iPhone 15, and inflation will probably nonetheless be a lingering concern. Plus, Apple’s iPhone 14 Professional fashions are reportedly promoting means higher than even the iPhone 14 Plus, so individuals are evidently keen to pay extra for a greater telephone.

However the largest concern is advertising. Apple is anticipated to rebrand the iPhone 15 Professional Max because the iPhone 15 Extremely, which might create a brand new class akin to the Apple Watch Extremely and M1 Extremely chip meaning larger, higher, and dearer.

The Apple Watch Extremely prices $799, which is $270 greater than the 45mm Apple Watch Sequence 8 with mobile. For the additional cash, you get a much bigger display screen, twice the battery life, a rugged design with a devoted “Motion” button, a titanium body, and an assortment of health options not obtainable on the Sequence 8. Based on rumors, the iPhone 15 Professional may even have a titanium physique—LeaksApplePro says Apple is contemplating providing a single colour for the iPhone 15 Extremely to match the Apple Watch Extremely—and convey an array of unique options, together with a twin selfie digital camera, upgraded rear digital camera, twice as a lot entry-level storage (256GB vs 128GB), and a Thunderbolt 4 port.

If there was ever a cause to consider a worth hike was on the way in which, this is able to undoubtedly be an ideal time to justify it.