As MacBooks and iPads Get More Expensive, AppleCare Too: How Far Will Apple’s Price Hikes Go? [IT Item of the Day]

[Financial News] Apple Inc. has recently raised prices for Mac and iPad products, and it has now also increased fees for AppleCare Plus and Apple Music. As memory prices surge and licensing costs rise, the cost of using Apple’s ecosystem is climbing across the board.
According to overseas media outlets such as 9to5Mac on the 21st, Apple Inc. recently raised AppleCare Plus fees for Mac, MacBook, and iPad by 50 cents per month, or $5 per year. AppleCare Plus is Apple’s paid warranty service, which covers repairs and replacements when products are damaged or battery performance declines. The higher rates apply only to new subscribers, while existing customers will keep paying the same amount. AppleCare One, which covers up to three devices, was not included in this increase. AppleCare One costs $19.99 per month.
Earlier, Apple Inc. also adjusted prices for Apple Music and some Apple One plans. The individual Apple Music plan rose from $10.99 to $11.99 per month, while the family plan increased from $16.99 to $19.99. Apple cited higher music licensing costs as the reason for the increase.
Apple One, which bundles multiple subscription services at a discounted price, also saw price hikes. The family plan rose from $25.95 to $27.95, and the Premier plan increased from $37.95 to $39.95, both by $2. The individual plan remained unchanged at $19.95.
Last month, Apple Inc. also raised prices for its Mac and iPad lineup. The base iPad went up by $100, from $349 to $449, while the 13-inch iPad Pro rose by $200, from $1,299 to $1,499. The MacBook Neo increased by $100, from $599 to $699, and the M5 Max MacBook Pro jumped by $500, from $3,599 to $4,099.
Apple said the price hikes were driven by an unprecedented rise in the cost of memory and storage components. Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Apple Inc., has said that demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) has surged as AI data centers expand, creating supply shortages and pushing up component prices.
Industry watchers expect the next-generation foldable iPhone series, set to be unveiled this fall, could cost as much as 3.5 million won to 3.8 million won, reflecting the sharp rise in memory prices.
[email protected] Choi Hye-rim Reporter