Apple Increases iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max Prices in Australia, Delays Hypertension Feature for Apple Watch
Sydney, Australia – Apple has announced pricing and availability details for its new iPhone 17 lineup and updated Apple watch models in Australia. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will see a price increase, starting at $1,899 and $2,299 respectively, while the base iPhone 17 will remain at last year’s price of $1,399.
According to industry analysis, the iPhone 17 Air model is “differentiated enough that people will consider visiting a store to see it in person,” potentially driving upgrade purchases through attractive trade-in offers, particularly given the high residual value of older iPhones. ”This is very valuable at a time when people are holding onto their smartphones for longer than ever,” one analyst noted.
all new iPhone models will be available in Australia from September 19th. The iPhone 17 will also feature a 120Hz display for the first time.
Alongside the new iPhones, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 11, and Ultra 3. However, a new health feature offering hypertension detection via optical heart sensor data will not be available in Australia at launch.Apple’s vice president of health, Dr.Sumbul Ahmad Desai, stated the company anticipates clearance from medical regulators in the US and other countries “soon,” with availability expected “in 150 countries and regions this month – including the US and Europe.” Apple has not confirmed whether it has submitted the feature for approval with the Australian Therapeutic Goods management (TGA).
The delay mirrors a previous situation where Australian apple Watch users waited nearly a year to access the sleep apnoea notifications feature after its initial announcement in September 2024.If approved, the hypertension feature will be compatible with Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and Apple watch Ultra 2.
