Apple Raises MacBook and iPad Prices Up to $300 Citing Memory Shortage
Apple raised prices on its MacBook and iPad product lines worldwide on Thursday, June 25, 2026, with increases up to $300 appearing on the company’s online store the same day. The company attributed the hikes to an extraordinary shortage of memory chips and storage components driven by escalating demand from AI data centers, officials said.
The price increases, which took effect immediately, apply to Apple’s MacBook and iPad product lines worldwide, according to multiple reports. The entry-level MacBook Neo rose by $100 to $699 from $599, while the 14-inch MacBook Pro increased by $300 to $1,999 from $1,699, Bloomberg and CNN reported. The MacBook Air with 512GB of storage was raised to $1,299 from $1,099, and the MacBook Pro with 1TB of storage also rose to $1,999 from $1,699, according to The Straits Times. Business Insider noted that Mac prices increased by as much as 20 percent.
Apple officials attributed the price increases to an extraordinary shortage of memory chips and storage components driven by escalating demand from AI data centers.
iPad prices also saw significant increases. CNN reported the lowest-priced iPad rose by $100 to $449 from $349, and the iPad Mini increased by $100 to $599. The iPad Air with 128GB storage jumped to $749 from $599, and the 11-inch iPad Pro rose $200 to $1,199 from $999, according to Business Insider and The Straits Times. Bloomberg added that the price hikes extended beyond Macs and iPads to include home gadgets and the Apple Vision Pro headset. CNN reported that the Apple TV price increased to $199 from $129, the Apple Vision Pro rose $200 to $3,699, and the HomePod went up to $349 from $299. Bloomberg confirmed that Apple did not raise prices for the iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods in this round.
Bloomberg described the shortage as “extraordinary,” while CNN quoted Apple saying, “We have never experienced such a rapid increase in component prices.” CNBC reported that the rising costs for memory and storage chips, fueled by AI demand, compelled Apple to adjust prices. The company said the consumer electronics sector is facing an “unparalleled challenge” due to the sharp increase in demand for memory and storage components from AI data centers, according to Business Insider.
The shortage has been linked to the rapid buildout of AI data centers competing for the same supply of memory components, multiple sources confirmed. Apple CEO Tim Cook warned last week that price increases were “inevitable” because of memory chip shortages, CNN reported. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal on June 17, 2026, Cook described the increases as “unavoidable,” according to 9to5Mac. CNET reported that Cook expected “significantly higher memory expenses” in the latter part of 2026, with costs anticipated to escalate after June. Apple had initially softened the impact by relying on substantial inventory of devices, but the company acknowledged that these reserves were no longer sufficient to offset rising component costs.
The market reacted swiftly to the announcement. CNBC reported that Apple shares fell nearly 5 percent following the price increase news, marking the steepest decline since February. Analysts such as Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research estimated that component cost increases could add about $200 per iPhone for Apple, although iPhone prices were not raised in this round. Bloomberg cited Apple as suggesting that additional price changes for other products could follow later as the company continues to face cost pressures. CNN reported that Apple is diligently seeking solutions to manage these challenges.
Industry experts expect the memory and storage shortage to persist. CBC reported that Micron, a major memory chip manufacturer, anticipates the shortage will continue at least through 2027. The sustained demand from AI data centers and other sectors is expected to keep component prices elevated, posing ongoing challenges for consumer electronics manufacturers like Apple.
