Technologies

Yes, an iPhone Could Cost More Than $2,200 With Tariffs. Should You Buy One Now?

The latest tariff announcement doesn’t change much, but you should still expect prices to increase. Here’s how to save if you’re shopping for one.

President Donald Trump announced he has made a deal with China, which could potentially affect the cost of a new iPhone — but maybe not as much as you think.

«WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10%,» Trump said in a post on Truth Social, noting that he and China’s president, Xi Jinping, still need to give their final approval for the deal.

However, 55% «total» tariff incorporates 30% the countries agreed to in May (10% «reciprocal tariff» + 20% «fentanyl tariff«) and approximately 25% from tariffs that Trump imposed on China during his first term, according to a White House official.

Although 55% is substantially less than the original 145% tariff against China Trump originally put in place, it’s still likely to result in higher prices for many items, said Michael Coon, associate professor of economics at the University of Tampa. And the new tariff deal doesn’t take into account the 25% smartphone tariff Trump announced shortly after Apple said it was moving production of US iPhones to India.

«I would suspect that the 25% smartphone tariff would be added on top of the existing tariffs in China,» he said. «I think the smartphone tariff is more reaction to India — Apple’s announcement that they were going to ship most of their production to India.»

Apple didn’t mention tariffs during its Worldwide Developers Conference this week, but with the rumored iPhone 17 due for a price hike — regardless of tariffs — is now the time to buy a new iPhone?

Read more: Thinking About Buying a New iPhone? Here’s Why You Should Wait

How much could tariffs raise iPhone prices? We do the math

Companies don’t always pass the full tariff onto customers in the form of higher prices, but they can. Even if Apple could absorb some of the costs, you should expect to see significant price jumps if tariffs take effect.

«They’re still going to probably pass 80% to 90% onto consumers, if they can,» Coon said. «Unless they wanted to do some sort of marketing ploy out of it, which I don’t suspect they would want to do, because that would be directly going up against the administration.»

Based on the current tariff rate, iPhones manufactured in China are already subject to a 25% tariff (from Trump’s first term), but could now get an additional 30% tariff. Goods from India currently have a 10% baseline tariff but that could potentially soar to 26% next month. Here’s how the current tariffs and potential 25% Apple tariff could affect the price of the iPhone. These figures are based on our estimates and not confirmed by Apple:

How much could iPhones made in China cost after tariffs?

	Current price	With new 30% tariff	New tariff + 25% smartphone tariff
iPhone 16e (128GB)	$599	$779	$928
iPhone 16 (128GB)	$829	$1,078	$1,285
iPhone 16 Plus (128GB)	$929	$1,208	$1,440
iPhone 16 Pro (128GB)	$999	$1,299	$1,548
iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB)	$1,199	$1,559	$1,858
iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB)	$1,599	$2,079	$2,478

How much could iPhones made in India cost after tariffs?

	Current price	Current 10% tariff	Potential 26% tariff	Potential 26% tariff + 25% smartphone tariff
iPhone 16e (128GB)	$599	$659	$755	$904
iPhone 16 (128GB)	$829	$912	$1,045	$1,252
iPhone 16 Plus (128GB)	$929	$1,022	$1,171	$1,403
iPhone 16 Pro (128GB)	$999	$1,099	$1,259	$1,508
iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB)	$1,199	$1,319	$1,511	$1,810
iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB)	$1,599	$1,759	$2,015	$2,414

Based on Coon’s estimates that Apple could pass along up to 90% of the tariff cost to customers, that could raise the price of a new iPhone 16 Pro Max (1 TB) assembled in China to $2,230.

«Estimates say it would cost $3,500 to produce an iPhone in the US. So, it would still be cheaper to produce in China,» Coon said.

There’s a lot more that goes into the price of an iPhone than simply where it’s assembled. Apple sources components for its products from a long list of countries, which could face higher tariffs after the pause. And a tariff on goods doesn’t necessarily mean prices will increase by the same amount. If companies want to stay competitive, they could absorb some of the costs to keep their prices lower.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

When could we see iPhone prices increase?

It’s unclear exactly when prices could go up, but if companies sell out of devices produced before the tariffs, they may have to increase prices on products in tariffed shipments.

However, even if Apple can’t avoid tariffs entirely, it has ways to offset the impact through its services — including its music, news and data plans — according to supply chain expert Joe Hudicka.

«Apple will likely absorb some of the tariff costs up front to keep sticker prices stable, then pass the rest on to consumers gradually through service bundles, device longevity and ecosystem upgrades,» he said. «Consumers will still pay, just not all at once.»

And regardless of how the tariff drama plays out, the Wall Street Journal reports that Apple plans to raise iPhone prices later this year. So expect prices to go up soon.

Is it better to buy an iPhone and other tech now or wait?

If you already planned to buy a new smartphone, buying it now might save you money. But if you don’t need a new phone immediately, you might want to wait, said CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland, who’s been reviewing phones for CNET since 2016.

«If iPhone prices rise, know that, like cars, the prices for used iPhones will likely rise, too,» he said. «If Apple does raise its prices, you’ll likely get more for your old iPhone when you trade it in, and that should offset any increased prices.»

If you don’t have the cash on hand and are considering using a credit card or buy now, pay later plan just to avoid tariffs, make sure you have the money to cover the costs before you start accruing interest. With credit cards’ average interest rates currently more than 20%, the cost of financing a big purchase could quickly wipe out any savings you’d get by buying before prices go up because of tariffs.

«If you finance this expense on a credit card and can’t pay it off in full in one to two months, you’ll likely end up paying way more than a tariff would cost you,» said Alaina Fingal, an accountant, founder of The Organized Money and a CNET Money Expert Review Board member. «I would recommend that you pause on any big purchases until the economy is more stable.»

One way to save on Apple products, even if prices go up, is to buy last year’s model instead of the newest release or a used one. And trading or selling a used one can help offset the cost even more.

«Apple has leaned into that with its Certified Refurbished program, much like the auto industry’s used car model,» Hudicka said. «This program helps extend the lifespan of devices, keeping customers in the Apple ecosystem longer while distributing the cost impact over time.»

Technologies

This Hilarious Prime Video Caper Flips the Script on British Crime Drama

Deep Cover brings an injection of comedy to the genre of the moment, making it a top contender to stream this weekend.

You can’t move for hit British crime shows right now. Whether it’s Dept. Q or Adolescence on Netflix; MobLand on Paramount Plus; or Slow Horses on Apple TV Plus (even if that one’s technically more of a spy show), gritty and binge-worthy content is showing up on the best streaming services, all delivered in a vibrant array of British accents.

But a shift is happening. We’re about to enter cozy-crime summer, when the genre will get an injection of lighthearted comedy, largely thanks to the much-anticipated adaptation of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club book series, set to land on Netflix this August.

In the meantime, Prime Video is getting in there first with Deep Cover — an action-comedy that flips the British crime script from serious to silly in the best possible way.

In the film, which arrives on Prime Video on June 12, an unlikely trio of improv actors, all of differing skill levels, is recruited as undercover police officers and infiltrates London’s underworld, theoretically to bust a drug ring. Needless to say, am-dram chaos ensues.

Bryce Dallas Howard plays a failed stand-up comic turned improv teacher who ropes her two most hapless students into the gang: a method actor with delusions of grandeur, played by Orlando Bloom, and a nervy IT office nerd, played by Nick Mohammed. Together the three, nicknaming themselves Bonnie, Roach and the Squire, fudge their way through meetings with gangland bosses, each more intimidating than the next, and somehow manage to find friendship and romance along the way.

I went to the film’s premiere at SXSW London last week and came away convinced that Deep Cover should be at the top of everyone’s watch list this weekend. The combination of comedy and action lands it squarely in crowd-pleaser territory, somewhere between Hot Fuzz and The Fall Guy.

Of Deep Cover’s three stars, it’s Mohammed who has the most established comedy chops and gets the biggest laughs (you’ll likely know him best as Nathan Shelley in Ted Lasso — the kit man who defects to become a rival coach). That’s not to say Bloom, who steps somewhat out of his comfort zone in this role, and Howard don’t also deliver. The chemistry between the three lead characters keeps you rooting for them long after their «yes, and…» improv approach to undercover work seems to be failing them.

The film’s director, Tom Kingsley, has also worked on the Bafta-winning TV show Stath Lets Flats (available on Max), which is simultaneously the most Greek and most British piece of television you could ever hope to watch, and which I’ve long been convinced is a work of significant comic genius. Deep Cover has the same echoes of awkward, almost farcical humor, but with an Amazon-size budget behind it.

Still, as Kingsley explained during a Q&A following the premiere, the budget was far smaller than anyone might expect for such a production. Bringing in bona fide Hollywood stars Bloom and Johnson attracted more funding, as did Amazon hopping on board. But the film was reportedly made on something of a shoestring by Hollywood standards.

Still, it’s easy to see where the injection of cash ended up. Deep Cover’s action scenes are sometimes outlandishly slapstick, perfectly befitting of the three clowns at their center, and at times so graphic or high octane that they don’t always jell with the overall tenor of the film. It’s a minor niggle in the scheme of things, and one that shouldn’t deter you.

For all its silliness and stunts, Deep Cover is ultimately a heartwarming tale about developing adult friendships at that stage in life when you might feel like the moments for such opportunities have passed.

If you’re looking for something easy and fun to watch this weekend, then look no further.

Technologies

Switch 2 Blows Past Records to Reach 3.5 Million Sales in Just 4 Days

The Switch 2 has reached the highest global sales of any Nintendo device in the same timeframe.

We knew it was popular, but Nintendo on Wednesday confirmed that its new Switch 2 handheld game console has sold more than 3.5 million units worldwide within the first four days of release. That makes it the fastest-selling Nintendo device ever, flying past other releases like the original Switch, which by comparison sold 2.74 million units in its first month.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launched at $450 for the standard America version of the console, which has yet to be affected by the latest tariffs.

It features a larger screen, revamped Joy-Con controllers, more advanced processors and backwards compatibility with Switch 1 games. It currently features updated versions of classics like Breath of the Wild, as well as the exclusive new game Mario Kart World.

Despite massive early-day sales, the Switch 2 still has a long ways to go to catch up to the original Switch, which has sold over 150 million units since its 2017 release date.

If you’ve been looking but haven’t been able to buy one yet, check out CNET’s Switch 2 tracker for where it’s still in stock.

Nintendo America did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

Technologies

Mario Kart World Makes Racing Wilder and More Social Than Ever

The new version of Nintendo’s classic, available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2, introduces massive multiplayer races and new chat features.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has already become Nintendo’s fastest-selling console ever, moving 3.5 million units in its first four days on sale. And while the new Switch makes it easy to upgrade your old games for its bigger screen and better graphics, the real reason everyone is so excited to get their hands on it: a new version of Mario Kart.

You can get the bundle that includes the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World now at Best Buy. (If you aren’t able to buy it online, check your local Best Buy store; the retailer limited online stock to prevent scalping.)

A rainbow road that never ends

Mario Kart World’s coolest innovation is Free Roam mode, designed for those hungry to explore the universe outside of lap-based races. Think The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Grand Theft Auto, but with Super Mario characters in cars. Drive a few seconds in any direction and you’ll find a P-switch, which initiates a short mini-game. («Hitch a ride on the train,» for example, when there’s a locomotive in front of you.)

In Knockout Tour and Versus modes, the courses melt into each other like a cinematic one-shot. We’re a long way from the Nintendo 64 days, when you could get stuck at the edge of the map, staring into the digital fog.

More racers, more chaos

But let’s be honest: you’re playing Mario Kart to race friends. Multiplayer mode in Mario Kart World expands the field to up to 24 drivers, which means wide lanes and total chaos.

Purists may think there are just too many characters this go-around; why would you choose the lesser-known Dry Bones or Lakitu when you have all-stars like Mario and Luigi, Toad and Yoshi, Bowser and Peach? (They may be quickly convinced when they start dominating with Cow.) And the classics are still there: Toad, it turns out, is voiced by the original spokesman for Nintendo in the 1990s: Paul Rudd.

Knockout Tour mode adds another (cutthroat) wrinkle to the new stampede-style races: some players are eliminated after each race.

Play together, wherever you are

Nintendo paid attention to the gamers who joined a Discord call or fired up a Zoom room to (trash) talk with friends while playing video games, especially during the pandemic. (Basically, a LAN party that isn’t in your parents’ basement.) For $55 you can buy a Switch 2 camera that connects via a new USB-C port located on the top of the console. The GameChat feature admits 12 audio friends or 4 video friends in a «chatroom.» And for those who want their gaming grounded in some sort of reality, meatspace faces can appear next to a racer’s kart so you can see real-time reactions.

Get your Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World at Best Buy

Mario Kart World is available now with the Nintendo Switch 2, which you can get today at Best Buy. If you can’t find it online, be sure to check your local Best Buy, where they’ve kept plenty of stock available in person to keep it from being scalped.