Apple Raises Prices on iPads, Macs, and HomePod in India Amid Global Chip Cost Surge
Apple has increased prices across several product lines in India, including MacBooks, iPads, Apple TV, and HomePod devices, citing soaring memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI industry's datacenter expansion. The iPhone, however, remains unaffected for now.
The price hike, effective immediately, sees the MacBook Air (512GB) start at ₹1,37,900, up from ₹1,19,900. The MacBook Neo now costs ₹79,900, a rise from ₹69,900, and the entry-level laptop, originally priced at ₹59,900 at launch, has also seen a notable increase.
Global demand for memory chips has surged due to the rapid buildout of AI datacenters, pushing up costs for manufacturers. Apple's move aligns with broader industry trends, as other tech companies have similarly adjusted prices to offset higher component expenses.
Analysts note that while the iPhone's price stability may be a strategic move to maintain market share in India's competitive smartphone market, the increases on other devices could impact consumer sentiment. Apple has not commented on whether further price adjustments are anticipated.
