iPhone 17 Monthly Costs Revealed: Carrier Plans and Payment Breakdowns

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is here, and while the tech is impressive, what really matters is what these phones will cost you each month. The good news? Apple kept most prices the same as last year, but there are some important changes to understand.

As reported by Apple in their September 9th announcement, the company launched four new models with pricing that might surprise you. The base iPhone 17 still costs $799, but you now get double the storage at 256GB instead of 128GB. That's actually a better deal than last year.

The new iPhone Air replaces the unpopular iPhone 16 Plus at $999 - the same starting price as last year's iPhone 16 Pro. However, the Air only has one rear camera and shorter battery life, so you're trading features for that ultra-thin 5.6mm design.

Here's where it gets expensive: the iPhone 17 Pro now starts at $1,099, up $100 from last year. Apple justifies this by doubling the starting storage to 256GB, but if you wanted more storage anyway, you're paying more. The Pro Max stays at $1,199 but adds a new 2TB option for power users.

Carrier deals are already rolling out to offset these prices. Apple says you can get up to $1,100 in trade-in credits when trading iPhone 13 or newer models through select carriers. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are expected to offer their usual promotional pricing for new line activations and equipment installment plans.

One important change: the iPhone Air only supports eSIM, meaning it won't work with physical SIM cards. Make sure your carrier supports eSIM before ordering, especially if you travel internationally or switch carriers frequently.

Storage costs are going up across the board. Since all models now start with 256GB, upgrading to 512GB costs more than before. Apple previously charged $200 to jump from 256GB to 512GB, but now that becomes your first upgrade tier.

Pre-orders start September 12th with phones arriving September 19th. If you're planning to buy through a carrier, check their specific trade-in values and monthly payment options. Many carriers spread the cost over 24 or 36 months, making even the Pro Max manageable at around $33-50 monthly depending on your plan.

The bottom line: the iPhone 17 delivers more value at the entry level with doubled storage, but Pro models cost more upfront. Factor in carrier deals and trade-ins to find your real monthly cost before deciding which model fits your budget.