The tech industry is currently facing a memory crisis and a price hike situation. This situation has now started showing its effects in smartphone shipments and revenues of various companies; to curb rising costs, many brands have already started announcing price hikes for smartphones/tablets/laptops, which affect the consumer’s pocket and the sales of these devices.
Due to high demand from AI manufacturers, there is also a memory shortage, as reports suggest that suppliers are prioritising the AI companies, leaving OEMs in a tough spot. Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the interview that the price increases are now unavoidable. Apple has been trying to shield its customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable.
Just after this interview, Apple increased the prices of selected Mac, iPad and Apple TV models, while the iPhone remained unaffected. But that iPhone relief was short-lived as Apple has now reportedly increased iPhone prices in Japan.
iPhone Price Hike in Japan
According to reports, iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models have received a price increase on Apple’s online store in Japan.
- iPhone 16: From 114,800 JPY to 124,800 JPY; 8.7% increase
- iPhone 17e: From 99,800 JPY to 107,800 JPY; 8% increase
- iPhone 17: From 129,800 JPY to 142,800 JPY; 10% increase
- iPhone Air: From 159,800 JPY to 177,800 JPY; 11.3% increase
- iPhone 17 Pro: From 179,800 JPY to 194,800; 8.3% increase
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: From 194,800 JPY to 214,800 JPY; 10.3% increase
For now, Apple has not increased the prices of iPhones in any other region except Japan, but with the deepening memory crisis, more countries could follow in the future.
