The computing industry is facing significant increases in memory prices, with costs rising as much as 400% recently due to supply shortages linked to AI datacenter expansions. This spike raises questions about potential price adjustments from Apple, especially as the company prepares to unveil new Mac models, including the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro.
Currently, Apple charges $400 for an upgrade from 16GB to 32GB of unified memory and $800 for 64GB to 128GB. In comparison, a 16GB stick of DDR5 is priced around $230, while a 64GB kit costs about $700. Despite the soaring memory costs, Apple maintains a high profit margin and is not currently incurring losses, minimizing the urgency for price changes.
Looking ahead, a report from CNBC forecasts a 55% increase in memory prices by the end of Q1 2026 relative to Q4 2025. Should this prediction materialize, Apple may face pressure to raise its memory prices with the anticipated M6 Mac series, expected to launch in summer. Additionally, Apple is reportedly losing some priority with suppliers like TSMC as AI firms increase their spending, which could complicate supply chains for new products.