Tech
Jun 25, 2026
Analyzed by Llama- 4 Scout 17B 16E Instruct
Apple Raises Mac and iPad Prices Amid Global Memory Shortage
AI Summary
Apple is increasing prices for its Mac and iPad lineups due to a global memory shortage driven by the AI buildout. The price hikes affect various models, but iPhone prices remain unchanged for now.
The Price Hike
Apple is raising prices of its Mac and iPad lineups amid a worldwide memory shortage driven by the AI buildout. The new MacBook Neo will now cost $699 instead of $599. The base MacBook Air’s price is increasing from $1,099 to $1,299, and the MacBook Pro’s price is rising from $1,699 to $1,999. The desktop-class Mac Studio now costs $2,499 up from $1,999.
iPad and Other Device Price Increases
iPads also received a price bump: the Air now costs $749, up from $599, and the Pro now costs $1,199, up from $999. Apple’s smart home devices are also costlier, with the standard HomePod increasing from $299 to $349, HomePod Mini from $99 to $129, and the Apple TV box from $99 to $129.
The Reason Behind the Price Hike
According to Apple, the consumer electronics industry is facing an unprecedented challenge due to the rapid expansion of AI data centers, which has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage. The company stated that they are working tirelessly to find solutions.
The Impact of AI on Memory Prices
The AI boom has led to significant increases in memory and storage component prices. Smartphone DRAM prices have jumped by 50%, and NAND Flash storage prices have jumped by over 90% quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026. Analysts predict that other PC and tablet OEMs may follow Apple’s example and raise prices on select products.
The Future Outlook
As the demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow, the memory supply chain is expected to remain challenged. Suppliers like Micron are benefiting from the increased demand, with the company reporting a 4x jump in year-over-year revenue in its most recent earnings.