• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Apple

Apple Could Be Making $800 on Each 256GB iPhone XS Max Sale

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 26, 2018, 10:43 AM ET

Apple should be able to generate an awfully nice profit on the sale of each iPhone, if a recent teardown is any indication.

The folks over at TechInsights recently tore apart the iPhone XS Max with 256GB of onboard storage to see what’s inside. It then sought pricing on each of the parts to create a total cost. After performing that evaluation, the company estimated that Apple pays $443 to build each 256GB iPhone XS Max. Apple sells that handset for $1,249, suggesting the company is making an $806 profit on the sale of each device.

Apple unveiled the iPhone XS Max alongside the iPhone XS at a press event earlier this month. The company released the handsets last week. The iPhone XS Max comes with the largest screen size ever in an iPhone, measuring 6.5 inches. The iPhone XS has a 5.8-inch screen. They both run on the A12 Bionic chip and come with improved cameras over last year’s iPhone X.

Of course, Apple making a hefty profit on the sale of each iPhone is no surprise. The company generates billions of dollars in profits each quarter.

For its part, Apple doesn’t discuss how much of a profit it makes on the sale of each handset. And Apple CEO Tim Cook has said in the past that these teardowns are inaccurate and don’t actually reflect Apple’s pricing. But they still serve as an approximation of iPhone components cost in the real world. And if nothing else, they highlight Apple’s unique ability to generate hefty profits on its products.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

UK moves warship to Middle East for potential Hormuz mission
PoliticsMilitary
UK moves warship to Middle East for potential Hormuz mission
By Ellen Milligan and BloombergMay 9, 2026
6 hours ago
Iran war is draining world’s oil buffer at an unprecedented pace
EnergyOil
Iran war is draining world’s oil buffer at an unprecedented pace
By Grant Smith, Yongchang Chin and BloombergMay 9, 2026
6 hours ago
Trump Media posts $405 million loss driven by crypto holdings
CryptoDonald Trump
Trump Media posts $405 million loss driven by crypto holdings
By Yash Roy and BloombergMay 9, 2026
6 hours ago
The federal government must issue more debt than it expected as cash flow weakens, and ‘the bond market is shouting’
InvestingDebt
The federal government must issue more debt than it expected as cash flow weakens, and ‘the bond market is shouting’
By Jason MaMay 9, 2026
7 hours ago
A federal judge weighing the future of a D.C. golf course doesn’t want to be Amy Poehler, but Trump might be interested as he remakes parks
PoliticsDonald Trump
A federal judge weighing the future of a D.C. golf course doesn’t want to be Amy Poehler, but Trump might be interested as he remakes parks
By Steven Sloan and The Associated PressMay 9, 2026
9 hours ago
Trump sees ‘beginning of the end’ in Russia’s war on Ukraine as both sides agrees to his request for a 3-day ceasefire
EuropeRussia
Trump sees ‘beginning of the end’ in Russia’s war on Ukraine as both sides agrees to his request for a 3-day ceasefire
By Darlene Superville and The Associated PressMay 9, 2026
9 hours ago

Most Popular

'Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA' in hiring: Recruiters retreat from ‘talent is everywhere,’ double down on top colleges
Future of Work
'Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA' in hiring: Recruiters retreat from ‘talent is everywhere,’ double down on top colleges
By Jake AngeloMay 9, 2026
16 hours ago
Ted Cruz says the quiet part out loud: Trump accounts are Social Security personal accounts as GOP senator reveals 'dirty little secret'
Politics
Ted Cruz says the quiet part out loud: Trump accounts are Social Security personal accounts as GOP senator reveals 'dirty little secret'
By Jason MaMay 9, 2026
12 hours ago
You're probably safe from the Hantavirus outbreak, but here's what you absolutely must not do, experts say
Politics
You're probably safe from the Hantavirus outbreak, but here's what you absolutely must not do, experts say
By Catherina GioinoMay 8, 2026
1 day ago
A Michigan farm town voted down plans for a giant OpenAI-Oracle data center. Weeks later, construction began
Magazine
A Michigan farm town voted down plans for a giant OpenAI-Oracle data center. Weeks later, construction began
By Sharon GoldmanMay 6, 2026
4 days ago
California farmers must destroy 420,000 peach trees after Del Monte closes its canneries and cancels more than $550 million in long-term contracts
North America
California farmers must destroy 420,000 peach trees after Del Monte closes its canneries and cancels more than $550 million in long-term contracts
By Sasha RogelbergMay 7, 2026
2 days ago
Red flag test: former CEO explains why he rejects job candidates who say they can start right away
Success
Red flag test: former CEO explains why he rejects job candidates who say they can start right away
By Orianna Rosa RoyleMay 9, 2026
17 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.