Unprecedented memory shortage triggers global price surge! Apple rarely skips high-end M6 chip, betting on the next-generation M7 edge AI
Due to memory shortages, Apple has raised prices for products such as Mac and iPad, with stock prices dropping over 6%. In terms of chips, Apple has only released the basic M6 chip this year, skipping the high-end version and directly betting on the M7 chip to be launched next year, which will focus more on edge AI task processing
According to informed sources, Apple (AAPL.US) may release a base version of its M6 chip this year, but unlike previous years, it will skip the higher-end M6 chip and jump directly to the M7 chip.
The sources added that the base version of the M6 chip for Mac may be released this year, but the M7 chip will focus more on artificial intelligence. The M7 series will be able to handle the growing demand for edge AI tasks more efficiently. The M7 chip may be launched as early as next year.
However, one chip from the M5 series—the M5 Ultra—is still scheduled to be released later this year.
Higher-end chips in the M series (Pro and Max) are typically used in high-end Mac mini, Mac Studio, and MacBook Pro. In contrast, the base version chips are used in entry-level Apple computers and some versions of the iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets.
Apple Raises Prices Globally!
After announcing price increases on almost all products due to ongoing memory shortages, the tech giant's stock price fell more than 6% on Thursday.
On Thursday, Apple took extreme measures to raise prices on Mac, iPad, and home devices to offset the cost increases caused by an unprecedented shortage of memory chips and storage components. According to updates from Apple's online retail store, the company has raised prices on several products, including the MacBook Neo, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. The starting price of the latest MacBook Neo has increased from $599 to $699, and the MacBook Air has risen from $1,099 to $1,299.
The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro has increased from $1,699 to $1,999, and the 11-inch iPad Pro has gone up from $999 to $1,199. The mid-range iPad Air is now priced at $749, up from $599. This price adjustment is a global change.
The standard HomePod speaker is now priced at $349, up from $299; the HomePod mini has increased from $99 to $129. The Apple TV set-top box has risen from $129 to $199. Apple did not raise iPhone prices on Thursday.
An Apple spokesperson stated, "The rapid expansion of AI data centers has triggered an unusual surge in demand for memory and storage," and noted that the company "has never seen component prices rise so much in such a short time."
Apple added, "We have previously absorbed these cost increases for our customers, but now we have reached a critical point where we must start raising prices on some products, and today's adjustments to iPad and Mac reflect this strategy." The company stated, "We know this is not welcome news in the market, and we are working hard to find solutions."
