Apple Drops HomePod Price to $299, Down From $349

[MacRumors]

Apple today cut the price of HomePod on its online store by $50, with the smart speaker now listed for $299, down from $349. The price drop follows recent promotional discounts at several third-party retailers across the U.S.

Similar price reductions have also appeared in other regions and territories on Thursday, with the price of a HomePod in the United Kingdom falling from £319 to £279, for instance.

Apple's expensive HomePod speaker accounted for just six percent of the U.S. smart speaker installed base through the fourth quarter of 2018, according to a February report.

Research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimates that the U.S. installed base of smart speakers reached 66 million units last quarter of 2018, suggesting HomePod sales in the country totaled around 3.96 million units since the speaker became available to order in January 2018. Apple does not disclose exact HomePod sales figures.

By comparison, the Amazon Echo and Google Home reportedly accounted for 70 percent and 24 percent of the installed base respectively, with both products proving to be popular holiday gifts.

In April 2018, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was "mulling" a "low-cost version" of the HomePod, potentially due to shipments of the current version being "far below market expectations." A report out of China said the lower-cost HomePod could be priced between $150 and $200 in the United States.

Article Link: Apple Drops HomePod Price to $299, Down From $349

 

[Motawa]

no thanks

 

[iapplelove]

I would buy it at $99.99 for sure lol. Keep going Apple

 

[bigboyz12000]

No offense but -$50 from Apple is like Ramen giving you a free noodle with every package purchased haha!

 

[MacFan23]

Has Apple ever done this with a current gen product before? The only other time I can remember is with the first gen iPhone maybe?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

$50 more to go and then I’d buy one when it’s on sale for $199

 

[lyngo]

No offense but -$50 from Apple is like Ramen giving you a free noodle with every package purchased haha!

This comment made my morning.

They are heading in the right direction on this, but all Apple pricing right now is a convoluted mess.

 

[Prof.]

I picked one up for $179 at Best Buy. $249 on sale with $70 in cash back rewards from my other BB purchases. Worth it at that price.

 

[44267547]

Others here will list as a ‘flop’ now because Apple dropped the price. Anyone that’s experienced the HomePod, knows exactly what this speaker is capable of producing in terms of quality sound. I don’t regret purchasing mine for the Original $350 price point.

 

[Kebabselector]

Still no thanks, unless they start to include a control knob to adjust the bass

 

[BMcCoy]

Price cut in the UK too...

Now £279
(Previously £319)

Edit: sorry, just seen this mentioned in the first post already.

 

[McScooby]

Or, they could just keep the same price, add a jack & allow any audio to be bluetoothed to it, I don't think the price is the main issue.

 

[Nozuka]

Interesting... a price cut before it is even available in every country...

 

[Onelifenofear]

no thanks

Why thank you for your informative and well thought out reply. I must say it has massively influenced my feelings about Homepod and Apple in general. You should move into politics.

 

[44267547]

Or, they could just keep the same price, add a jack & allow any audio to be bluetoothed to it, I don't think the price is the main issue.

Actually, I would argue it’s the opposite. Price is a concern with the HomePod for the majority, simply because they don’t probably want to spend that type of money for a ‘smart speaker’, (even though it’s a music player first). The competition is stiff with Google and Amazon, but it’s more about the sound that the HomePod boasts than any other feature.

 

[Onelifenofear]

Price cut in the UK too...

Now £279
(Previously £319)

Edit: sorry, just seen this mentioned in the first post already.

Kind of they list it as "£319 to $279." - Nice work MR

 

[Tomboman]

I don't get it - In Germany now 329€ from 349€ - Would have been tempted with 299€ - don't understand why they don't cut the same like in the US or UK

 

[MarkB786]

More signs of distress...

 

[itsmilo]

No offense but -$50 from Apple is like Ramen giving you a free noodle with every package purchased haha!

I just laughed out loud in the office. Thanks

I don't get it - In Germany now 329€ from 349€ - Would have been tempted with 299€ - don't understand why they don't cut the same like in the US or UK

Also from a marketing point of view it basically makes no difference. If you glance over you wouldn’t even notice the difference I am sure. 299€ on the other hand already appears cheaper than a price starting with 3...

 

[Onelifenofear]

Actually, I would argue it’s the opposite. Price is the problem with the HomePod for the majority, simply because they don’t probably want to spend that type of money for a ‘smart speaker’, (even though it’s a music player first). The competition is stiff with Google and Amazon, but it’s more about the sound that the HomePod boasts than any other feature.

None of the Amazon devices are comparable - the sound is not great at all on them - they do have Sonos though. Which is a great choice. The google Max is comparable or even better - but it's 3x the size and well... GoogleSpying on you

For playing music and controlling my home the Homepod work great - the Mic Will pick me up whispering "Hey siri Lights on" when it's belting out at full volume. But do wish it had more Activation words like Echo...

 

[Steve121178]

No thanks. Not even interested at $99. I don't need "smart speakers" in my home, especially ones that rely on Siri which is absolutely horrendous.

Whoever is in charge of Siri development needs a damn good shoeing.

 

[Onelifenofear]

I don't get it - In Germany now 329€ from 349€ - Would have been tempted with 299€ - don't understand why they don't cut the same like in the US or UK

Tax and import duty reasons.

 

[Enclavean]

I picked one up for $179 at Best Buy. $249 on sale with $70 in cash back rewards from my other BB purchases. Worth it at that price.

So you picked it up at $249 then.

 

[19SK91]

No offense but -$50 from Apple is like Ramen giving you a free noodle with every package purchased haha!

Only if the package only contains like 6 noodles. I don’t understand some people here. You guys want lower prices, Apple lowers the price and it‘s still not enough. Weren‘t there even reports that Apple loses money with HomePod?

 

[shieldcy]

I don't even regret buying the HomePod (paid 269GBP on ebay)
The sound is truly awesome. And the bass, oh that bass. (Expensive but) Great product by Apple.