New Delhi, June 26: Apple has increased prices across several MacBook, iPad, HomePod, and Apple TV models, citing a sharp rise in memory and storage chip costs driven by surging demand from the artificial intelligence industry.
The company said soaring prices for memory components have made it increasingly difficult to absorb higher manufacturing costs, forcing it to pass some of the burden on to consumers. The price revision does not affect iPhone models at this stage.
Among the biggest changes, the MacBook Air base variant with M5 Chip now starts at Rs 1,49,900, up from Rs 1,19,900, while the MacBook Pro with M5 chip and 16GB ram has increased from Rs 1,69,900 to Rs 2,39,900. The iPad Air with 128GB storage has also seen a significant price hike, rising from Rs 69,900 to Rs 89,900.
Apple has also increased prices for its HomePod smart speakers and Apple TV streaming devices as component costs continue to rise across its product portfolio.
The company attributed the move to an unprecedented increase in memory prices, driven largely by the rapid expansion of AI data centres worldwide. Memory manufacturers have prioritised supplies for AI chipmakers, reducing availability for consumer electronics and pushing prices sharply higher.
Industry estimates suggest prices for Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)—a key component used in smartphones, laptops, and tablets—rose by as much as 98% during the first quarter of 2026 and are expected to climb even further in the current quarter.
Analysts believe the supply crunch is likely to impact the broader consumer electronics industry, with several PC and smartphone manufacturers expected to follow Apple’s lead by raising prices on future devices.
Despite its strong supplier relationships, Apple acknowledged that it could no longer fully shield customers from escalating component costs. The company said it continues to explore ways to manage rising expenses while maintaining product quality and long-term profitability.
Market observers also expect Apple to review iPhone pricing in the coming months if memory costs remain elevated, although no changes have been announced so far.
The latest price adjustments highlight the growing impact of the global AI boom on consumer technology markets, as rising demand for advanced memory chips reshapes supply chains and increases costs across the electronics industry.
Author
About the Author
