Apple lifted laptop and tablet prices by 17% to 30%, taking the MacBook Neo to $699 from $599 and the 256GB iPad Pro WiFi to $1,299 from $999.
Memory chip prices have risen 3 to 4 times from late 2024 levels as AI infrastructure demand absorbs capacity at Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung, leaving consumer-device makers paying far more.
Tim Cook said he has never seen memory costs surge like this in 40 years, and analysts expect Apple to raise iPhone prices later this year as memory inflation lifts handset build costs by 20% or more.
IDC expects the supply-demand imbalance to last beyond 2027 in key segments, while Morningstar sees memory inflation continuing through 2028 before new supply starts easing prices.
Other PC and tablet brands are expected to follow with selective price hikes, fewer discounts and a greater push toward premium models, pressuring consumers and businesses to keep devices longer or buy refurbished.
As AI drives tech prices to record highs, will personal gadgets ever be affordable again?
With AI consuming most key components, must consumer tech innovation now take a backseat?
Apple’s 2026 Price Hikes: How the AI-Driven Memory Chip Shortage Is Reshaping Tech Costs and Consumer Choices
Overview
In June 2026, Apple raised prices across its product lines due to soaring component costs, especially a dramatic surge in memory prices. This spike is mainly caused by a global memory chip shortage, which intensified as AI data centers began consuming most of the new memory supply. Semiconductor manufacturers have shifted production to prioritize high-performance memory for AI, leaving less available for consumer devices. As a result, profit margins for electronics companies have been squeezed, making it impossible to absorb these costs without losses. Apple's price hikes reflect this new reality driven by the AI boom and supply chain pressures.