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الوسم: price hikes

  • Apple Price Hikes Are Closer Than Expected With iPhone 17

    Apple Price Hikes Are Closer Than Expected With iPhone 17

    Apple may be on the verge of increasing prices for some of its top-selling smartphones. For some time, there have been whispers about potential price hikes, and a recent report suggests that these changes could occur sooner than expected. Interestingly, Apple is reportedly refraining from attributing these adjustments to tariffs—typically a common rationale for price increases in the tech industry. Here’s why that might be the case.

    The information originates from the Wall Street Journal, which indicates that Apple is contemplating raising prices for its upcoming fall lineup, specifically the iPhone 17. This rumor aligns with several earlier reports of a similar nature, making the talk of price increases feel increasingly plausible. However, confirmation will ultimately come from Apple itself.

    Price increases are nothing particularly shocking, especially given the situation surrounding tariffs on imports from China. Although the U.S. and China have reportedly reached a temporary agreement to suspend many of these tariffs, the Wall Street Journal notes that the existing 20% tariff on Chinese imports still applies to products from Apple. A significant portion of the manufacturing still occurs in China, particularly for high-end models. While President Trump has exempted smartphones from a separate tariff slated to fall from 125% to 10% under the new agreement, the overall situation remains precarious.

    Despite the tariffs potentially contributing to these price hikes, Apple is said to be leaning on other factors to justify the increases. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company intends to promote the price hikes as necessary due to new features and design updates.

    The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max's lock screen.
    Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

    Apple also has manufacturing facilities in India, although the high-end Pro and Pro Max models are likely still produced in China. This suggests that tariffs could still play a role in price determination. The tech giant is working to transfer more production to India, but these transitions take considerable time to implement. On the design front, Apple is expected to unveil a slimmer version of the iPhone in its upcoming release, in addition to various updates across other models.

    Until Apple officially addresses potential price increases, all scenarios remain speculative. However, the information from the Wall Street Journal makes it evident that iPhones might see a price increase as early as this year, a factor worth considering for anyone thinking about upgrading their device.







  • First GPU Price Hikes, Now Motherboards May See Higher Costs

    First GPU Price Hikes, Now Motherboards May See Higher Costs

    An emerging report suggests that three prominent motherboard manufacturers, Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI, may soon raise their prices. This potential increase could stem from new tariffs, specifically a 32% tariff on exports from Taiwan to the United States. This leads to the question: should you consider purchasing a motherboard now before prices change?

    To clarify, this information has been sourced from Board Channels, a site commonly frequented by industry insiders and known for such leaks. However, none of the three companies has issued any official statements regarding this matter, so for the time being, prices remain stable. It’s important to keep in mind that these proposed price increases may eventually materialize.

    Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI are among the leading manufacturers for both AMD and Intel CPUs. If these giants decide to increase their prices, it’s likely that other brands will follow suit, which could lead to a ripple effect across the market. Conversely, lesser-known brands might seize the chance to attract consumers with competitive pricing, thus enhancing the competitiveness within the motherboard sector.

    The extent of any price changes remains uncertain, including whether these adjustments would affect regions outside the United States. We’ve seen significant turmoil in the pricing of various PC hardware components recently—graphics cards, in particular, have spiked in cost and are rapidly selling out. While tariffs play a significant role in these fluctuations, low inventory levels also contribute to the rising prices. As demand continues to surge for the latest GPUs, there’s little motivation for prices to diminish.

    Given the current unpredictability of PC component prices—and with motherboards now entering this volatile environment—waiting for an official announcement from Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte before making a purchase could be wise. However, if you encounter a good deal, it might be beneficial to take advantage of it, as a decrease in prices seems unlikely in the near future.

  • RTX 50-Series Price Hikes Show More Than Just Scalpers Issues

    RTX 50-Series Price Hikes Show More Than Just Scalpers Issues

    Upon launch, Nvidia’s RTX 50 series encountered significant challenges. Now, six weeks later, those issues persist, primarily revolving around pricing and availability. It’s not just scalpers inflating prices; Asus has recently increased the costs of several of its top graphics cards by several hundred dollars, completely disregarding the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP).

    Whether you’re browsing the Asus Store or looking for specific GPUs, locating one that sells at MSRP is incredibly difficult. This isn’t necessarily surprising. Asus, as a partner for Nvidia and AMD, creates its own iterations of GPUs, which typically come with a higher price tag due to enhancements like better cooling systems and increased overclocking capabilities. While premium prices are expected, it’s reasonable to assume that add-in board manufacturers (AIBs) would still feature a selection of models at MSRP.

    Though higher prices are somewhat anticipated, the ongoing price increases are concerning.

    As reported by VideoCardz, Asus has adjusted the pricing for its RTX 5090 graphics cards. The flagship model, the ROG Astral LC, remains at its already exorbitant price of $3,410; this is the price for the liquid-cooled version. In comparison, the air-cooled variant has surged to $3,360, only slightly less than its liquid-cooled counterpart and a staggering $280 higher than before.

    Prices for the RTX 5090 at Asus Store.
    Asus

    The prices for the TUF models have also increased, with the overclocked version now priced at $3,000, while the non-OC variant costs $2,760. These figures are significantly above the original MSRP of $1,999 for the RTX 5090 that was set back in January.

    Lower-tier GPUs aren’t immune to these price hikes either. The AMD RX 9070 XT is unavailable at its MSRP, while Nvidia’s supposedly $550 model has climbed to $700 and even higher.

    This is a challenging time for PC gamers. Some RTX 5090 cards are being listed for as much as $6,000, primarily due to scalper activities, though such prices are rare. The persistent lack of availability paired with the high demand for these new GPUs is pushing prices upward. While there is hope that they might someday return to MSRP, such a prospect doesn’t seem likely in the near future.