Apple is reportedly preparing to increase iPhone prices following recent hikes in the costs of its iPad and Mac offerings. This shift comes as the company grapples with the rising costs of memory and chip supplies, which are affecting its entire product range.
Impact of Supply Chain Issues
According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, Apple is facing similar supply chain challenges for the iPhone as it has for other devices. As a result, price increases seem unavoidable. In June, Apple raised prices across nearly all major product categories, with Mac and iPad seeing an average increase of around 23%.
Competitor Pricing Strategies
Apple has been monitoring how its competitors, such as Samsung and Google, are responding to increased component costs. Both of these companies have recently raised the prices of their flagship smartphones by approximately USD 100. If Apple mirrors this trend, the starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro could rise to USD 1,199, reflecting a 9% increase from the current iPhone 17 Pro price of USD 1,099.
Moderate Price Increase Expected
Given the ongoing memory crisis, Gurman suggests that the anticipated price increase is moderate, indicating that Apple may absorb some of the additional costs. The company has previously warned of pressure on its gross margin for the current quarter, suggesting they may not pass all costs onto consumers.
Customer Loyalty and Financing Options
A USD 100 increase for the iPhone would still keep it within a competitive price range, avoiding the more significant shocks experienced with iPad and Mac price jumps. Moreover, Gurman notes that Apple has room to set higher prices due to the larger increases seen in the Mac and iPad lines, alongside a loyal iPhone customer base.
To ease the impact of these price adjustments, the Apple Upgrade program is expected to help customers manage costs by allowing them to pay for their iPhones in monthly installments, making it easier than paying the full upfront price.
The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the new foldable iPhone Ultra are set to be launched in September, leaving consumers curious about the final pricing details. We will soon find out how much of a surprise the new iPhone pricing will bring.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/consumer/d-8633153/setelah-ipad-dan-mac-apple-siap-siap-naikkan-harga-iphone
