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Apple Music individual plan now $11.99, family $19.99; iPad, MacBook, and other hardware see $100‑$300 hikes, marking the biggest price jump since 2022.
Apple Music’s individual plan jumps to $11.99 per month and the family tier to $19.99, while Apple simultaneously lifts prices on iPads, Macs and accessories by $100‑$300, the first major price hikes across its ecosystem since 2022【1】.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Apple Music Individual plan | $11.99/month |
| Apple Music Family plan | $19.99/month |
| iPad base model price increase | $100 (from $349 to $449) |
| MacBook Air price increase | $200 (from $1,099 to $1,299) |
Apple raised its streaming fees by $1 for the individual and student plans and $3 for the family plan, the first adjustment since October 2022 when the individual tier moved from $9.99 to $10.99【1】. The new rates still sit below Spotify’s $12.99 individual and $21.99 family prices, but the gap has narrowed, especially as Spotify’s student tier now matches Apple’s $6.99 price point【1】. Apple has not issued a formal announcement; the changes appeared on its website and were first spotted by Apple Insider【1】.
In the same week, Apple lifted suggested retail prices on a range of devices: iPads rose $100 (standard model from $349 to $449), iPad Air $150 (from $599 to $749), iPad Pro $200 (from $999 to $1,199), and MacBook Air $200 (from $1,099 to $1,299)【4】. The average increase across all affected products was $246.67【4】. CEO Tim Cook attributed the hikes to “soaring cost of memory and storage chips,” describing the supply crunch as a “hundred‑year flood”【4】. Notably, iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and several accessories were exempt from the increase【4】.
Apple Music’s modest rise keeps it marginally cheaper than Spotify, but the narrowing price differential could pressure price‑sensitive subscribers, especially as rumors of an ad‑supported free tier circulate【1】. On the hardware side, the price jumps place Apple’s flagship tablets and laptops closer to premium competitors such as Microsoft Surface and high‑end Android tablets, potentially dampening demand among cost‑conscious consumers. The simultaneous timing of the hikes with Apple’s back‑to‑school promotions in Asia suggests the company is banking on bundled incentives to offset the higher sticker price【3】.
The dual price increases signal Apple’s confidence in its premium positioning despite cost pressures, but the real test will be whether consumers accept higher monthly fees and device costs without a corresponding boost in perceived value.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 4 outlets · Jul 17, 2026 · How we report
Price increases were applied to Macs, iPads, Apple Music plans in many countries, and iPhone models in Japan; U.S. iCloud+ and iPhone prices were not affected.
The promotion offers a free pack of four AirTags, AirPods 4, an Apple Pencil Pro, or a gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, and it is available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
iPhones bought with carrier financing from Apple will be locked to that carrier, removing the ability to obtain an unlocked device through the financing option.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be announced in approximately two months, with rumors suggesting design similarities to the iPhone 17 series.
The refurbished Apple Watch SE 3 features the S10 chip, an Always‑On display, 18‑hour battery life, and is priced at $190, down from $299 for a new unit.