All articles tagged with #price increase
An internal The Pokemon Company document, surfaced via the Game Freak Teraleak, discusses three price patterns for Pokemon games—potential price increases and incentives to buy both versions—along with historical dual-version purchase rates (Sun/Moon 41%, Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon 50%, Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee 23%), domestic vs. overseas pricing considerations, royalties, and ambitious sales targets tied to bundle purchases.
Google's Pixel lineup could be pricier this year. Leaks suggest the Pixel Watch 5 may start at $399 (LTE $499) for the 41mm model, with the 45mm at $429 (Wi‑Fi) or $529 (LTE). In Europe, the Pixel 11 may start at €999 for 256GB and the Pixel 11 Pro at €1,199, with the Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold rumored at €1,399 and €1,999. The price bumps are linked to a global memory/storage shortage driven by AI demand, and Google will unveil the new devices at an August 12 launch event.
Leaked details suggest Google's Pixel Watch 5 will be unveiled at the Made by Google event on August 12, with availability on August 20 and pre-orders on August 13. Four configurations across 41mm and 45mm sizes will bring up to a $50 price increase over the Pixel Watch 4: 41mm Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi $399 or LTE $499, 45mm Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi $429 or LTE $529, with UK/Europe hikes on the 41mm variant. Colorways include Natural Silver, Dark Anthracite, Pyrite, and Warm Gold (41mm only).
Leaks suggest the Pixel 11 will drop the 128GB base in favor of 256GB/512GB storage with about a €100 price increase, and launch shortly after Google’s Aug. 12 reveal (Aug. 20 release). Colors for the base model include Light Sterling, Midnight Haze, Fuschia and Moss, while Pro variants could get Midnight Haze plus Light Fog, Dune and Pine depending on storage. Design is expected to stay similar, with a new Pixel Glow LED notification feature and a rumored removal of the Pro temperature sensor.
Google has a Made By Google event planned for August 12 in NYC to unveil the Pixel 11 lineup, with rumors of higher starting prices, a new Pixel Glow rear light, a shift to 256GB base storage, and a possible Pixel Watch 5.
Amazon has quietly refreshed the Fire HD 10: the 32GB model now ships with 4GB of RAM and a price bump to $154.99, while the 64GB version remains at 3GB RAM. Other specs stay the same (10.1-inch display, 2GHz octa-core, 13-hour battery, microSD expansion) and both SKUs include lock-screen ads (removable for a one-time fee). A RAM shortage linked to AI/data-center demand may be driving the change as memory sourcing tightens.
Kotaku’s inflation-adjusted breakdown shows GTA 6, paired with a PS5, is the most expensive way to play a GTA title at launch; the cheapest option is Xbox Series S, and a PS5 bundle with GTA 6 could run about $680 before tax, illustrating how launch costs have surged over time while inflation narrows the gap with older titles.
Thousands of longtime T-Mobile customers on old plans will be automatically moved to the current plan lineup within weeks, with notifications via text or the T-Life app; some may see about a $4 per-line price increase, though the new plans offer features like international roaming and faster 5G. The change is part of a broader effort to simplify internal systems by retiring over 1,100 legacy billing codes; customers unhappy with the auto-upgrade can only switch to another T-Mobile plan or provider.
Rumors say T-Mobile will compel migration of legacy Simple Choice and ONE plan customers to pricier, newer plans (potentially affecting Magenta and Business lines), with per-line increases for voice, watch, and 5G Home Internet, the Kickback promo ending, and changes taking effect in two weeks. The company reportedly won’t offer cheaper new plans, prompting potential customer churn as rivals respond.
Amazon is reportedly moving to raise prices on many Apple products, with notable increases across MacBook models (including the Neo) and iPads. Some discounts remain on Amazon for now, but those deals may disappear as prices align with Apple's, so shoppers should act quickly to save while deals last and check Prime Day listings for ongoing offers.
On Reddit, a user scored a fully maxed 14-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro just before Apple hiked prices, saving about $2,800 on a config that would otherwise cost $9,699 (vs $6,899 previously)—a rare pre-price-surge win for top-tier Macs.
IDC predicts the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could cost up to $200 more, following Apple’s Mac and iPad price hikes; projected starting prices could be about $1,249–$1,299 for the Pro and $1,349–$1,399 for the Pro Max, with premium buyers less sensitive to higher costs.
Apple raised prices on iPad and MacBook lines after memory and storage chip costs surged due to AI data-center demand; the Neo laptop’s starting price rose to $699 from $599, MacBook Air prices jumped (e.g., 512GB up $200) and MacBook Pro 1TB up $300, with increases also for HomePod and Apple TV. Analysts warn iPhone prices could follow as memory suppliers remain tight amid AI-driven demand; memory makers have secured long-term AI-related commitments, signaling continued pressure on device costs and broader market declines in smartphones and PCs.
Apple shares fell about 6% after the company raised prices on several MacBook and iPad models to offset soaring memory and storage costs driven by a global memory shortage. Entry-level MacBook Neo rose from $599 to $699, MacBook Air from $1,099 to $1,299, MacBook Pro 14” from $1,699 to $1,999 and 16” from $2,699 to $2,999; iPad Air moved from $599 to $749, and iPad Pro 11” and 13” both increased (to $1,199 and $1,499, respectively). CEO Tim Cook called price increases “unavoidable” amid margin pressure, and analysts warn higher costs could dampen demand as the memory shortage could last for years. The move mirrors broader industry price bumps as chip costs rise.
Microsoft is hiking Xbox prices again due to higher memory/storage costs: 512GB models jump $100, 1TB models $150, with the Series S starting at $499.99 and the Series X (no disc) at $749.99 or $799.99 with a disc drive; the 2TB Series X is being sunset. The company is also offering new financing options (BNPL and Amazon financing) and will work with retailers to provide lower prices on previously played consoles amid the ongoing component crisis.