The company cited rising memory and storage chip costs.
Apple’s newly launched “budget” MacBook is no longer looking so budget after a ₱10,000 price hike, prompting many Filipinos to rethink whether they can still afford one.
On June 25, the tech giant raised prices on several MacBook and iPad models worldwide.
One of the biggest talking points for Filipino netizens was the MacBook Neo, which Apple had introduced with a “breakthrough price” and described as being “accessible to millions of people around the world.”
According to the Apple website, MacBook Neo’s 256GB model is worth ₱49,990—a ₱10,000 increase from its launch price of ₱39,990.
Other MacBook and iPad models also saw price hikes ranging from around ₱5,000 to nearly ₱30,000, depending on the configuration. Apple attributed the price adjustments to rising memory and storage chip costs.
As of writing, the affected models remained at their old prices on Apple’s official Shopee store, while local retailer Power Mac Center had already updated prices for some units.
Online, many users said the increase made Apple devices even harder to justify—particularly for students, young professionals, and first-time buyers.
“There goes my dreams of getting a macbook,” an X user wrote.
The price hikes also led many to rethink how—and when—they would purchase Apple products. Several users made suggestions: buy from local resellers, opt for older models, delay upgrading, or simply continue using their current devices.
Others speculated about what led to the price increase. They pointed to growing demand for AI data centers, saying it has driven up memory and storage chip costs.
But others believe the increases were inevitable, as Apple products generally retain their value and last longer than many alternatives. Some noted that it’s a “miracle” that prices rose only now.
The discussion ultimately reflected a growing concern among Filipino consumers: whether Apple’s devices, especially those marketed as more affordable, are slowly slipping out of reach.
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