All articles tagged with #price increases
Amazon is hiking prices on Echo devices, Fire TV sticks, Kindle readers, and Eero routers by up to 60% due to higher memory and storage component costs, with the cheapest models hit hardest (Echo Dot rising from $49.99 to $79.99; Kindle 16GB to $149.99; Fire TV Stick 4K Max to $84.99), while some products like Ring cameras and Echo Studio appear unaffected.
As Apple gears up for a potential iPhone 18 reveal, rumors suggest the new lineup could come with higher prices and possible compromises, making upgrading to the iPhone 17 now a smarter move. Price hikes on future models and lower trade-in values could erode the value of your current device, while the iPhone 18 may offer only modest gains and potential downgrades (screen brightness, GPU). The iPhone 17 already delivers strong performance, ample storage, ProMotion and Always-On Display, and could be a better value until the next wave arrives.
MacRumors says Apple won’t release a standard iPhone 18 this fall and will instead launch iPhone 18 Pro/Max plus a spring 2027 cheaper model. With rumored price increases, buying the iPhone 17 now could be cheaper overall, especially if purchased outright or via a trade-in that declines in value when new models arrive. The iPhone 17 remains the recommended pick for most buyers in 2026, while the iPhone 18’s rumored upgrades—RAM and other features—may not justify waiting for many consumers.
Android Authority argues 2026’s chip and component-cost pressures are pushing smartphone prices higher, with Samsung and Motorola already lifting prices and Google expected to follow. The Pixel 11 is rumored to launch at a higher price, the Pixel 11 Pro may cut RAM to 12GB, and a Pixel 10a price hike could push it toward flagship levels, threatening its midrange value even as early deals showed recent discounts. Google’s challenge will be balancing Tensor performance and AI features against rising costs as competitors keep pressuring prices.
Apple has launched the Apple Upgrade Program in the US, letting customers lease iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch through Klarna with monthly payments starting at $18 for iPhone and $12 for Apple Watch; 12- and 24-month terms for iPhone/Watch and 24- or 36-month terms for iPad/Mac; trade-ins can lower costs; signup is quick with a soft credit check, and at term end you can return, buy out for a small fee, or upgrade, as Apple looks to ease sticker shock amid rising component costs and price hikes.
Apple announced sweeping price hikes across Macs, iPads, HomePod, Apple TV and Vision Pro, with increases of 10–20% and some up to 50% as memory and storage costs rise; third-party retailers are still clearing stock at cheaper prices. Bloomberg previews about 20 new products coming through 2026–2027, including a foldable iPhone, a high-end touchscreen MacBook, camera-equipped AirPods, a smart home hub, and smart glasses. Apple released iOS 27 Beta 2 with features like Write with Siri, improved RCS messaging, and tweaks to Camera and Wallet, while shifting to AI-focused M7 chips in 2027 and dropping support for several older Apple Watch models in watchOS 27. WWDC 2026 previews and ongoing updates round out the week’s top tech news.
Retailers warn that ongoing chip shortages and the upcoming GTA 6 release could leave current-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles in short supply this fall, with prices rising and refurbished units being suggested as a workaround ahead of the November launch.
Apple’s online store is temporarily offline with a “We’ll be right back” message, triggering speculation about the upcoming Back to School promotion, possible price increases, or new devices. Downtime is commonly used to refresh pricing and product pages ahead of promotions or launches; Tim Cook has warned price rises are likely due to higher memory and storage costs, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the timing could be imminent, possibly tying promotions to any hikes.
Apple’s price hikes and a global memory shortage are making used iPhones increasingly attractive: older models remain capable and receive longer firmware support with iOS 27, battery swaps are cheaper than upgrading, and refurbished purchases offer a cost- and environmentally-friendly path forward.
Apple says price increases are unavoidable due to higher memory costs, with potential hikes across iPhone and Mac lines. Rumors point to two 20th‑anniversary iPhones launching next year alongside a foldable, while the iPhone 18 could gain 12GB RAM to support on‑device AI, though some reports suggest the standard model may launch in spring 2027 with no price bump. Other notes include Chase Sapphire perks for Apple customers (free Apple TV for a year and Apple One discounts on Sapphire Reserve) and hands‑on coverage of macOS 27 Golden Gate plus expanded landscape support in iOS 27, fueling talk of future Apple devices like an iPhone Ultra.
WSJ, citing TechInsights, estimates the iPhone 18 Pro will start around $1,299–$1,399 due to higher RAM, storage, and camera costs, with Pro Max and Ultra priced higher; Apple would preserve margins, and additional pricing details are expected at the September launch.
Apple CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal that price increases are unavoidable due to a global memory shortage, signaling RAM-driven price hikes across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The Verge notes Apple has already raised RAM-related prices (e.g., Mac Mini starting at $799 after dropping the $599 option, and the Mac Studio RAM 512GB variant being discontinued) and analysts expect further changes; the WSJ also models the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro around $1,299.
Sony has emailed PS5/PS4 owners a survey to gather feedback on PS Plus after confirming price hikes across all tiers (Essential, Extra, Premium). The questionnaire asks about satisfaction with features like game library access, online multiplayer, discounts, Share Play, and cloud saves, as well as how likely users are to renew and what would make the service more rewarding. It follows reports that price increases have affected all tiers and invites comments on overall value and future improvements.
Rising energy costs linked to the Iran war are prompting price hikes across several industries. Delta and other carriers have raised baggage fees, USPS is adding an 8% package surcharge, and major shippers like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS have introduced fuel or logistics surcharges. United and JetBlue also raised bag fees, while Southwest announced baggage increases. The energy shock comes as oil and gas prices rise and supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted, fueling broader inflation concerns as the Fed remains cautious and OECD projects higher inflation ahead.
Motorola raised prices across its 2026 Moto G lineup by up to 50%, with the new Moto G Stylus at $500; the increases affect the G Play, G, and G Power as AI-influenced memory and storage costs rise, signaling tougher choices for budget smartphones as manufacturers try to maintain profits.