Apple TV and HomePod Just Went Up in Price Amid Wait for New Models

[MacRumors]

While the Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini have not been updated in several years, all three products received price increases worldwide today.

Here is a summary of the price changes for these products in the United States:

• Apple TV (Wi-Fi): $129 → $199
• Apple TV (Wi-Fi + Ethernet): $149 → $249
• HomePod: $299 → $349
• HomePod mini: $99 → $129

Apple also raised prices on Macs, iPads, and more, with the company blaming the ongoing memory chip shortage, which has resulted in skyrocketing prices for RAM and SSD storage used in its products. "We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly," said Apple, in a statement shared with the media.

The price increases come amid a long wait for new Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini models. All three devices are expected to be updated later this year with support for the more personal and intelligent version of Siri, which is currently available to test across the iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and visionOS 27 developer betas.

The trio of devices are between three and six years old. Apple unveiled the HomePod mini all the way back in October 2020, while the current Apple TV and HomePod models debuted in October 2022 and January 2023, respectively.

The current Apple TV 4K has an A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 series, while the HomePod mini uses the S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5, and the second-generation full-sized HomePod uses the S7 chip from the Apple Watch Series 7.

Earlier rumors claimed the next Apple TV would be equipped with the A17 Pro chip, which is the oldest chip that supports Apple Intelligence. The device is also expected to feature Apple's N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next Apple TV.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was told that the Apple TV's Siri Remote may be "refreshed" in some form, but he did not provide any specific details or guarantee that there will be any outward-facing design changes to the accessory.

As for the HomePod mini, it is expected to use an Apple Watch's S9 chip or newer. Other previously-rumored features for the speaker include the N1 chip, improved sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip, and a red color option.

Apple is also expected to release an all-new smart home hub as early as this year.

Article Link: Apple TV and HomePod Just Went Up in Price Amid Wait for New Models

 

[frosty001]

These items really took a beating in the price hikes. Wow.

 

[thefredelement]

The Apple TV wifi + ethernet price jump by $100 makes no sense if it's due to RAM and SSD prices.

Apple are, and have always been greedy.

 

[decypher44]

That’s an insane increase. I was waiting for the new model to replace my Gen1 4K. Now considering the latest version at the old cost you can still pay at some retail. Maybe just skip it all together and just use the apps on my TV. They work just fine. Crazy pricing.


Update: ordered 3rd gen from BBY at orig price.

 

[CouldBeWorse]

A $100 increase for the price of an Apple TV is crazy work.

 

[Manatlt]

What. A. Joke.

$200/$250 for a 4 year old device is insane.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple TV price increase is insane for a device that hasn't been updated in years. I considered buying one to replace my Roku after Roku decided to sell itself to Fox, but decided to wait a little longer for the rumored and long overdue updated model. Sigh!

 

[963852741]

Amirite?

 

[Happy_John]

It's strategic. The price increase would put someone off buying a current HomePod or Apple TV, but it won't put someone off from buying new versions when they are released, as, at that point, the sting of the price increase will have dulled, because the shiny new version will be at the same sticker price as the tired, old version.

Take all the negative publicity for price hikes when you DON'T have new product versions to sell.

 

[Artemiz]

A 70% price hike for a tiny streaming box is insane. They better include a lot more features for its next update.

 

[triumvirate]

$100 hike for the Ethernet port model is gouging.

 

[turbineseaplane]

A 70% price hike for a tiny streaming box is insane. They better include a lot more features for its next update.

If they do, I question if they are features I'd even want.

I have no use for Siri AI on my streaming box.

I don't know what else they could do with it to justify these prices for something that "plays video". Normally I would say "gaming", but who are we kidding ... this is Apple.

Apple & Gaming are contradictions in terms.

 

[kirky29]

Mind blowing to increase the price on an almost vintage product... 😆

 

[Happy_John]

A 70% price hike for a tiny streaming box is insane. They better include a lot more features for its next update.

That's exactly why they're doing it now. See my post above.

 

[furbzv1]

this is for new generation items right? right?

 

[hieranonymous]

Remember when it was rumored Apple was gonna knock the Apple TV down to $99? 🥹

 

[Stiss]

This is greed pure and simple.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

This kind of makes me angrier about the fact that we don't have an Apple TV updated yet. All those Mark Gurman quotes, all the articles here by MacRumors saying one is imminent and now they are raising the price of a 5 year old model and the one that may or may not be coming is going to be greater than that? It really is the boy who cried wolf effect.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Remember when it was rumored Apple was gonna knock the Apple TV down to $99? 🥹

Soon the remote will probably cost $99

 

[gummybear2026]

New Apple TV sales are going to tank badly.

 

[turbineseaplane]

This kind of makes me angrier about the fact that we don't have an Apple TV updated yet. All those Mark Gurman quotes, all the articles here by MacRumors saying one is imminent and now they are raising the price of a 5 year old model and the one that may or may not be coming in going to be greater than that? It really is the boy who cried wolf effect.

Even worse, the product has seemingly been "in the can" (finished & ready to go) for a long time and when it does release it's likely going to be outdated right away ... and still starting at $200+.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Even worse, the product has seemingly been "in the can" (finished & ready to go) for a long time and when it does release it's likely going to be outdated right away ... and still starting at $200+.

If I said how I really feel about this, I might get banned, so I will just say agreed.

 

[Artemiz]

If they do, I question if they are features I'd even want.

I have no use for Siri AI on my streaming box.

I don't know what else they could do with it to justify these prices for something that "plays video". Normally I would say "gaming", but who are we kidding ... this is Apple.

Apple & Gaming are contradictions in terms.

When it comes to software, the limits are endless. From fascinating to meh. So we’ll have to wait and see.

 

[svish]

Extremely disappointing to see such a huge hike on an old Apple TV. Hopefully the new one launches soon at the same increased $199 price.

 

[coachgq]

It's strategic. The price increase would put someone off buying a current HomePod or Apple TV, but it wouldn't put someone off from buying new versions when they are released, as, at that point, the sting of the price increase will have dulled, because the shiny new version will be at the same sticker price as the tired, old version.

Take all the negative publicity for price hikes when you DON'T have new product versions to sell.

I agree with this 100%