Apple hikes iPhone prices in Japan as weak yen and chip costs bite

Apple has raised prices on nearly all iPhone models sold in Japan, with increases reaching as high as 11 percent on some devices. The price adjustments, which took effect today on Apple's online store in Japan, affect the iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, according to MacRumors. The largest increase, 11.3 percent, hit the iPhone Air, which now costs ¥177,800, up from ¥159,800. "The changes affect the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, and iPhone 16e." The move follows a similar pattern from last month, when Apple raised prices on all Macs and iPads globally. MacRumors reported that Apple attributed those earlier increases to the ongoing memory chip shortage. The iPhone price hike in Japan is the latest in a series of adjustments tied to rising component costs and currency fluctuations. "The price increase is attributed to the weak yen driving up import costs, as US prices remain unchanged." Asahi.com noted that the weak yen has made imports more expensive, while Apple has kept US prices stable. The outlet also pointed out that this increase follows a previous price hike in June on iPads and Macs, which was driven by rising memory semiconductor costs fueled by demand for artificial intelligence. With the yen continuing to trade at historically low levels, Japanese consumers are bearing the brunt of Apple's pricing adjustments, even as global prices hold steady.

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