Apple fans rushing to Apple Stores to buy iPhones before rumoured price hike

iphone

Apple Stores across the US were unusually crowded this weekend as worried customers rushed in to buy iPhones ahead of a possible price increase, according to a report by Mark Gurman for Bloomberg. The rush came amid fears that the Trump administration’s planned tariffs on Chinese-made goods — up to 54% — could hit iPhones hard and nearly double the prices of the devices.

Most iPhones are made in China, and the thought of a sudden price hike had shoppers hurrying to buy before it's too late. Employees at multiple Apple locations said their stores were packed, with many customers asking the same question: “Are prices going up soon?”

While the scenes didn’t match the chaos of a typical iPhone launch day, the stores felt as busy as the holiday season. “People are panicking a little,” said one employee. “They’re not sure what to expect”, the Bloomberg report said.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Apple stores in some major U.S. cities saw more sales this past weekend than during the same time in previous years. Apple has not made any official statement yet.

One shopper at the flagship Fifth Avenue store in New York said she was already planning to buy an iPhone 15 for her sister, but news of the tariffs pushed her to buy it sooner. “If we can still buy it at today’s price, why not?” she told the publication.

Experts believe Apple will try to avoid raising prices too much, possibly by cutting supplier costs or accepting lower profits. For now, though, fear of future price hikes is driving people to upgrade earlier than planned—even though it’s not iPhone launch season.

The rush could boost Apple’s upcoming quarterly earnings, but the real effect of any tariffs might not show up until later in the year. In the meantime, expect Apple Stores to stay busy.