The iPhone comes in a variety of colors, some more expensive than others. In this article, we will examine the most expensive iPhone colors and why they cost more.
Most Expensive iPhone Colors
The most expensive iPhone colors tend to be the more rare and exclusive options. Here are some of the priciest iPhone color options:
- Gold: The gold iPhone models tend to cost $50-$100 more than the standard colors. Gold symbolizes luxury and wealth.
- Rose Gold: Like gold, rose gold iPhones command a premium price, usually $50-$100 above the base models. Rose gold is elegant yet understated.
- Jet Black: The glossy jet black iPhone 7 was priced $130 higher than standard colors. Its striking finish was painstaking to produce.
- Red: The limited edition red iPhones sell for $50 more than basic colors, with some of the proceeds going to charity.
- Green: New green iPhone 13 models cost $100 more than blue, midnight, starlight, and Product Red. The vibrant green finish stands out.
What Makes These Colors More Expensive?
There are a few key reasons why the colors noted above tend to be pricier than plain options like black and silver:
- Rarity: Many expensive iPhone colors are produced in smaller quantities, making them harder to find and thus more valuable.
- Materials: More complex colors and finishes require more intricate materials and processes, increasing production costs.
- Demand: There is greater demand for flashy and rare colors, letting Apple charge a premium price.
- Branding: Unique colors help Apple reinforce its brand image of style and innovation.
Next we’ll take a deeper look at why some specific colors cost more.
Gold
Gold iPhones are so expensive because real gold is used to achieve the metallic finish. The gold edition iPhone 5s, for example, had a gold-hued anodized aluminum casing. Real 24K gold was added to the gold pigment to give it a luxurious shine. The pigment mixture was then painstakingly painted onto each phone. This intricate production process justified the phone’s premium $100 price bump.
Rose Gold
Rose gold iPhones also warrant a higher price tag because of their materials and complex production. To achieve the warm, rosy hue, Apple expertly mixes gold with varying amounts of copper and palladium. The mixture is then anodized onto the aluminum casing, taking hours per device. The resulting soft gold hue and alluring brilliance make rose gold iPhones a hot item worth paying extra for.
Jet Black
The shiny jet black iPhone 7 was in especially high demand due to its glossy, sleek finish. To create this dark mirror effect, nine layers of anodization were separately applied then polished by hand. This made each jet black iPhone take an extra hour to produce. The meticulous process and huge demand justified the $130 premium price. However, the glossy coating was also prone to scratching, tarnishing jet black’s appeal over time.
Red
Red iPhones command a higher price because they are part of Apple’s partnership with Product Red, which donates part of proceeds to HIV/AIDS relief programs. While the red coloring itself is not expensive, the charitable tie-in allows Apple to charge a bit more. Consumers are often willing to pay an extra $50 for a Product Red iPhone knowing some of it goes towards a good cause.
Green
The vibrant green iPhone 13 models were a hot new color that shoppers were eager to get their hands on. The striking green finish was achieved through multiple layers of specially dyed glass. Additionally, stainless steel bands on the Pro models were separately dye matched to the colored glass. With materials and processing more complex than average, Apple felt justified pricing the green editions at $100 above base models.
Historical iPhone Color Pricing
Looking back at older iPhone models further demonstrates how color affects pricing. Here is the price premium charged for colors at launch on selected models:
| Model | Color | Price Premium |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 5s | Gold | $100 |
| iPhone 6s | Rose Gold | $50 |
| iPhone 7 | Jet Black | $130 |
| iPhone 8 | Red | $50 |
| iPhone XR | Blue, Yellow, Coral | $50 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | Midnight Green | $50 |
| iPhone 12 Mini | Blue, Green, Product Red | $50 |
| iPhone 13 | Green | $100 |
As we can see, newly introduced colors or bolder colors like gold tend to come with a higher cost. Special editions like Product Red also command a small premium.
Current iPhone 13 Color Pricing
On Apple’s website as of September 2022, here is how iPhone 13 pricing varies by color:
| Color | 128GB Price | 256GB Price | 512GB Price | 1TB Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starlight | $799 | $899 | $1099 | $1299 |
| Midnight | $799 | $899 | $1099 | $1299 |
| Blue | $799 | $899 | $1099 | $1299 |
| Product Red | $849 | $949 | $1149 | $1349 |
| Green | $899 | $999 | $1199 | $1399 |
Product Red costs $50 more across storage tiers, while green fetches a $100 premium. Other colors are uniformly priced.
Conclusion
In summary, the most expensive iPhone colors tend to be those that are more rare, made with premium materials, take extra time to produce, or that support charitable causes. Green, gold, rose gold, jet black, Product Red, and special editions command the highest premiums. Consumers eagerly pay more for colors that stand out or make a statement. For Apple, pricing colors differently helps segment the market and reinforce its innovative brand. But for most buyers, color is secondary to functionality, storage space, and overall budget when choosing an iPhone model. While some colors are pricier, even basic options deliver the same great Apple user experience.
