How much does a 2-year-old iPhone really cost?

I saw this article in the New York Times yesterday. The headline reads: iPhone Price Increases Over Time. I'm sure you've read it.<br><br>The conclusion was that an iPhone from two years ago actually costs more than today's iPhone, despite the latter being "cheaper" to manufacture. The authors calculated this using data from Counterpoint Research, which, I assume, is a reliable source.<br><br>The main factor cited in the article is that the global economy has been in a recession, and there has been significant inflation in the past two years. As a result, consumers have fewer purchasing options and are willing to pay more for the same products.<br><br>Now, let's do a little math. The iPhone 14 Pro 512 GB cost around $1,099 two years ago, and the iPhone 16 Pro 512 GB costs around $999 today. The difference is $100.<br><br>Let's assume that the iPhone 14 Pro was more expensive to manufacture than the iPhone 16 Pro. That's fair. But what exactly is the real price difference between the two models? Is it $100, as the article suggests? I don't think so.<br><br>There's no way the difference between the two models is $100. It's either a lot more or a lot less. But let's not get into that right now. What's important is the conclusion: the global economy has been in a recession for two years, and there has been significant inflation. The only way for Apple to maintain such a high price for its products is to increase prices for loyal customers over time.<br><br>**The truth is that you have to pay full price for your iPhone every time you buy a new one.**<br><br>This article has been widely shared on social media. However, I have not seen anyone comment on it. Maybe it's just me, but I find this topic to be quite relevant to our community. So, let's discuss this.<br><br>&#x200B;