The Apple products that kept their original prices
This buying guide explains which Apple products have seen no price increase during the latest mid-cycle hikes, so you can focus on the devices that still offer original pricing while other hardware climbs in cost.
Start with the clear winner: the standard iPhone 17. If you want the best balance of longevity, features and value among Apple products with no price increase, this is the one to buy first. While Macs, iPads and even some so‑called budget Apple products like the MacBook Neo jumped sharply overnight, fifteen devices kept their launch pricing unchanged. That includes the full iPhone 17 family, several Apple Watch models, and the entire current AirPods line plus AirTag. When Apple raised prices, the online Apple Store briefly went down as the company “made changes” before bringing it back with updated hardware pricing, confirming these hikes were now baked in. If you want to lock in value before the next round of increases, this shortlist is your shopping map.
Why iPhone 17 is the smart default buy
For most people, the iPhone 17 is the best pick to buy now and keep for years. It stays at its original price while other categories are climbing, and it sits in the sweet spot between cost and capability. Apple left not only the iPhone 17 but also iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17e untouched by the latest hikes. With a new iPhone 18 line expected soon, keeping the current range steady looks like a deliberate move to encourage upgrades before any new, higher baseline appears. “The only thing we do know is that if you see a good deal on an Apple device you want to buy, it might be best to jump on it sooner rather than later.” If you’re holding an older phone, you should treat the iPhone 17’s original price as a limited window, not the new normal.
Other iPhones, Watches, and AirPods that avoided hikes
Beyond the flagship, there are fourteen more Apple products with no price increase that deserve a look. On the phone side, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17e, iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus all remain at their launch pricing. If you prefer smaller or older models, these are still safe buys from a pricing perspective. Wearables tell the same story: Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 kept their tags when other hardware went up. Audio fans are in an especially good spot, because AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation also avoided any mid‑cycle adjustment. Even AirTag stays at its original cost. Together, these devices form a rare pocket of stability in Apple hardware pricing, exactly when many buyers are being pushed higher.
How to shop strategically before the next round of changes
Apple’s recent mid‑cycle price increases hit Macs, iPads, Apple TV, HomePod and Vision Pro hard, with some Macs rising by USD 200 (approx. RM920) to USD 500 (approx. RM2,300) and the MacBook Neo—billed as a budget Apple product—jumping nearly 17% to USD 699 (approx. RM3,200). Meanwhile, iPhones, watches, AirPods and accessories like cases or Magic Keyboards stayed put. The pattern is clear: performance computers tied heavily to memory costs moved first, while high‑volume products like iPhone 17 are being held steady—likely until the next generation arrives. Store downtime and “making changes” messaging were the prelude to these hikes becoming permanent. If you want Apple products with no price increase, buy from the list above now, and delay Macs, iPads and home devices if you can. In this cycle, waiting on untouched products is more likely to cost you than save you.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the iPhone 17 if you want a mainline iPhone at its original price before the next generation sets a higher baseline.
- Skip the iPhone 17 if you are planning to wait for iPhone 18 and are comfortable paying likely higher launch prices or trying a new form factor.
- Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if you want a current Apple Watch that has avoided the latest mid‑cycle price hikes.
- Skip the Apple Watch Series 11 if you only upgrade alongside major redesigns and are willing to risk higher pricing on the next series.
- Buy the AirPods Pro 3 if you want premium AirPods that still sit among Apple products with no price increase while other audio hardware got more expensive.
- Skip the AirPods Pro 3 if you rarely use wireless audio and would rather direct your budget toward a Mac or iPad despite their higher prices.
- Buy the MacBook Neo alternatives, such as iPhone 17 or Apple Watch SE 3, if you’re price sensitive and want to avoid the near 17% jump that hit Apple’s budget laptop.
- Skip the MacBook Neo now if you were only interested because it was cheap; its increased price means it no longer stands out as a budget Apple product.
