Apple products are about to increase in price.

Upgrading RAM and storage on newer Mac models can be more expensive. Photo: 9to5Mac .

Across the PC industry, both RAM and memory have become more expensive recently. This is primarily due to supply shortages, as component manufacturers prioritize meeting the demands of AI data center construction. Some estimates suggest that memory prices have increased several times over in just a few months, and this trend shows no sign of slowing down.

Against this backdrop, Apple appears poised to unveil a new line of Macs, including MacBook Pro versions using the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. If there are any price changes, this would be a logical time for the company to adjust. However, the likelihood of Apple raising prices on higher-end models in this new generation of Macs is considered low.

The reason is that Apple's memory profit margins are already very large, even after accounting for the difference between the cost of components and the upgrades from the manufacturer. Currently, the company charges $400 for upgrading from 16GB to 32GB of memory on Mac models. Meanwhile, a 16GB DDR5 RAM stick retails for around $200 . In the higher segment, Apple charges $800 to upgrade from 64GB to 128GB of memory, while a 64GB DDR5 RAM kit currently sells for around $700 .

These figures suggest that even with rising component costs, Apple is not yet in a position where it will be forced to adjust prices. Additionally, the iPhone manufacturer has likely signed long-term supply agreements with partners, mitigating the immediate impact of market fluctuations. However, this could also lead to potential shortages, making the new Mac models harder to purchase during the initial launch period.

The real pressure may come later, when the Mac line using the M6 chip is expected to launch later this year or early next year. According to an industry analysis report cited by CNBC , memory prices by the end of Q1 2026 could increase by about 55% compared to the end of 2025. If this scenario occurs, Apple's current pricing structure will be difficult to maintain, forcing the company to consider raising memory prices on products using the M6 chip.

Furthermore, Apple is also facing intense competition from major AI companies for priority manufacturing at TSMC and other component suppliers. This could jeopardize previous preferential pricing agreements in the long term.