Apple’s hardware price increases in June were costly and unwelcome. They were also just the start of a wave of higher prices on Apple products and services. Over the last few weeks, Apple has been raising prices in all areas for different reasons.
Apple price increases are getting harder to avoid
It started with Apple’s sweeping hardware increases on June 25.
MacBook Neo jumped $100 to $699, the 13-inch MacBook Air rose $200 to $1,299, and the base iPad climbed $100 to $449.
MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, Apple TV 4K, HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple Vision Pro were among the other products affected.
The company blamed unprecedented increases in memory and storage component costs. Apple CEO Tim Cook blamed AI data centers for consuming more high-bandwidth memory, squeezing supplies and pushing prices higher.
Rising prices have even extended to refurbs. Apple’s newly listed 256GB refurbished MacBook Neo costs $599, the same price as a brand-new model before the hike.
Meanwhile, current iPhone prices in Japan rose between 8% and 11%, or ¥8,000 to ¥20,000 depending on the model. Apple gave no reason, but yen’s recent weakness is a likely explanation.
iPhone prices in the U.S. haven’t increased yet, but we’re expecting Apple’s fall iPhone lineup to debut with higher costs.
It’s not just Apple hardware
Apple hardware isn’t the only thing getting more expensive for customers.
The cost of AppleCare+ recently increased as well. New plans for every current Mac and iPad increased by 50 cents per month or $5 per year.
Existing subscribers kept their old pricing, and AppleCare One stayed at $19.99 per month, making the bundle a relatively better deal.
Then on Friday, Apple raised Apple Music and most Apple One bundle prices.
Apple Music is now $11.99 per month for individuals while family plans cost $19.99. Apple explicitly cited rising licensing costs. Not exactly music to our ears, in the context of everything else getting more expensive.
Apple One Family and Premier each increased by $2, while Individual remained unchanged. Apple didn’t spell out the bundle math, but the affected tiers include the Family version of Apple Music, which saw the largest increase.
All told, it’s a collection of price increases tied to component shortages, licensing costs, and probably currency pressure.
For customers buying hardware, adding protection, or paying for services, more of the Apple ecosystem now costs more.
The only question is what will Apple make cost more next?
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