Which Apple products have gone up in price in the UK since the Brexit vote?
iPhones, iPads, Macs, MacBooks and now apps have all gone up in price in the UK since the Brexit. It should be emphasised that Apple hasn’t specifically stated that the outcome of the referendum is the reason for the UK price rises, but it certainly looks connected.
As with every Apple event, the online Apple Store closed its doors for a few hours whilst the company took the wraps off the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch Series 2 in September, and then again in October for the MacBook Pro 2016. What we hadn’t expected, though, was for those doors to reopen to price hikes in the UK, even on products that were not new.
We suspect it’s quite possible that the changes in the UK economy following our vote to leave the European Union is a factor in the changes. The Guardian also ran Apple’s official statement:
“Apple suggests product prices internationally on the basis of several factors, including currency exchange rates, local import laws, business practices, taxes, and the cost of doing business. These factors vary from region to region and over time, such that international prices are not always comparable to US suggested retail prices.”
Here, we list some of the products we’ve spotted so far that have increased in price on Apple’s website following the latest Apple event. Spotted more? Let us know in the comments section below.
Apple price rises UK: Apps
On 17 January 2017, Apple announced that the prices of iOS apps on its App Store would go up.
Apps that cost 99 cents in the US, and which previously cost 79p in the UK, will cost 99p when the price rises take effect in approximately a week. That’s a rise of more than 25 percent. Apps which currently cost £1.49 in the UK, the next level up, will shortly cost £1.99.
Each successive tier of app pricing will see a similar rise, and in all cases up to a tenner, apps and in-app purchases will cost the same in dollars and pounds.
The UK Tech Weekly Podcast team discuss Apple’s price rises – among other recent tech stories – in episode 48 of the podcast. The section about Apple starts at 26 minutes in.
Follow UK Tech Weekly Podcast on Twitter for updates whenever there’s a new episode.
Apple price rises UK: iPhone
Apple proudly announced that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus would be the same price at launch as their predecessors were. Imagine our surprise when we turned to the UK pre-order page to find that they’re in fact up £100.
iPhone 7 32GB: Now £599, iPhone 6S was £539 (£60 increase).
iPhone 7 Plus 256GB: Now £919, was £819 (£100 increase).
iPhone SE 16GB: Now £379, was £359 (£20 increase).
The iPhone SE 64GB has gone down in price, though, from £439 to £429.
Apple price rises UK: iPad
9.7in iPad Pro, 32GB: Now £549, was £499 (£50 increase).
9.7in iPad Pro, 128GB: Now £639, was £619 (£20 increase).
Interestingly, the 9.7in iPad Pro with 256GB has decreased in price by £10.
12.9in iPad Pro: Now £729, was £679 (£50 increase)
12.9in iPad Pro 128GB with cellular: Now £939, was £899 (£40 increase).
iPad Air 2, 32GB: Now £379, was £349 (£30 increase).
iPad Air 2 32GB with cellular: Now £499, was £449 (£50 increase).
Apple price rises UK: MacBook
The new MacBook Pro is seriously impressive, with its OLED Touch Bar and super thin chassis. Unfortunately, if you compare how much the 2015 MacBook Pro cost – from £999 – the cheapest MacBook Pro with Touch Bar costs £749 more than that.
This isn’t a full list of the many prices changes, but they represent a large sample. DO also bear in mind that the Touch Bar prices are more justifiable given the huge bump in specs and technology:
MacBook Pro 2015 i5 13in: Now £1,249, was £999 (£249 increase).
MacBook Pro 2015 i7 15in: Now £1,899, was £1,599 (£300 increase).
MacBook Pro 2016 i5 13in: Now £1,449, 2015 model was £999 (£449 increase).
MacBook Pro 2016 i5 with Touch Bar 13in: Now £1,749, 2015 model was £999 (£749 increase).
MacBook Pro 2016 i7 with Touch Bar 13in: Now £2,349, 2015 equivalent was £1,599 (£750 increase).
MacBook Air 2015 i5 13in: Now £949, was £849 (£100 increase).
MacBook 2016 m3 12in: Now £1,249, was £1,049 (£200 increase).
Fingers crossed for a drop in prices at some point in the future though. While the new MacBook Pro is a gorgeous machine, those people who waited for its release find the base model £749 more than the 2015 model that used to retail at £999. Even now that 2015 model is £249 more expensive than it was the day before the new Pro was announced.
Apple price rises UK: Accessories
Apple Pencil: Now £99, was £79 (£20 increase).
Apple Watch Sport Band: Now £49, was £39 (£10 increase).
Smart Keyboard for 12.9in iPad Pro: Now £169, was £139 (£30 increase)
Apple Battery Case for iPhone 6s: Now £99, was £79 (£20 increase).
Author: Ashleigh Macro, Head of Affiliate
Ashleigh is Tech Advisor's Head of Affiliate. Providing expert buying advice you can trust is her forte, helping you to find the most reputable consumer tech products and services, and ensuring you don't spend a penny more than you should.