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9to5mac
Your Mac and iPad prices just went up, here's why AI data centers are to blame
Apple has announced substantial price increases across most of its product lineup, driven largely by memory shortages caused by rampant purchases from AI data centers. CEO Tim Cook stated that sustaining existing prices has become impossible due to the rapid spike in memory costs, which have quadrupled for certain types. As new memory fabs from suppliers like Micron are anticipated over the coming years, Apple also seeks to engage with previously blacklisted Chinese suppliers to alleviate these cost pressures.
MonitorConfidence: HighMid term horizonSupply chain risk: High
Published 29 Jun 2026, 04:30 UTC3 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Apple increases prices on most products except iPhone and Apple Watch
- AI data centers are driving memory supply shortages
- 32GB of DDR5 memory has risen to nearly $400 from under $90
- Micron plans to build new memory fabs, with completion by 2030
- Apple is lobbying to access blacklisted Chinese memory suppliers
Interesting facts
- Apple's memory supplies have been disproportionally affected by AI hyperscalers' demand.
- Product prices are expected to rise by 30-50% in Q3 and Q4 of 2026.
- Past pricing strategies relied on stabilizing memory costs, which has now become untenable.