Significant Increase in Apple MacBook Prices in the UAE; Pro Model Up by 1300 Dirhams
Dubai: Apple has raised the prices of its MacBook laptops in the United Arab Emirates, and a review of the company's official website on June 26 shows that some models are now hundreds of dirhams more expensive than when they were launched in March.
The largest price increase is for the 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M5 chip, which has seen its base price rise from around 7,199 dirhams to 8,499 dirhams; an increase of 1,300 dirhams for buyers of Apple's professional models.
MacBook Air has also become more expensive.
Buyers of the MacBook Air are also facing significant price increases.
• The 13-inch MacBook Air M5, which was launched in March at a base price of 4,599 dirhams, now costs 5,499 dirhams.
• The 15-inch model has also increased from 5,499 dirhams to 6,299 dirhams.
This means:
• 13-inch model: 900 dirhams increase
• 15-inch model: 800 dirhams increase
The MacBook Neo has not escaped the wave of price increases either.
The price of the MacBook Neo has also risen in the UAE.
In March:
• 256GB version: 2,599 dirhams
• 512GB version with Touch ID: 2,999 dirhams
But now:
• 256GB version with Magic Keyboard: 2,999 dirhams
• 512GB version with Magic Keyboard and Touch ID: 3,499 dirhams
Therefore:
• The 256GB model has become 400 dirhams more expensive.
• The 512GB model has seen a price increase of 500 dirhams.
This price increase may put more pressure on students, first-time MacBook buyers, and families looking to purchase laptops ahead of the new school year.
Price Increases for Professional Models
In the MacBook Pro series, prices have also increased in the higher tiers.
• The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips now starts at 8,499 dirhams.
• The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips now has a base price of 12,499 dirhams.
The AI Boom: The Main Cause of Component Price Increases
Apple announced on Thursday that it has raised the prices of MacBooks, iPads, and some other products due to a sharp increase in the cost of memory (RAM) and storage; an increase linked to the rapid growth of AI infrastructure and data centers.
An Apple spokesperson stated:
"The rapid expansion of AI data centers has created unprecedented demand for memory and storage equipment. We have never seen such a sharp and rapid increase in component prices before."
Market Reaction
Following this announcement, Apple's stock value fell by more than 4.7% in morning trading.
On the Apple USA website, prices for various products have also increased; including:
• 14-inch MacBook Pro: from $1,700 to $2,000
• iPad Air: from $600 to $750
• Apple TV: from $130 to $200
However, the price of the iPhone, which is Apple's most important source of revenue, has remained unchanged for now.
Tim Cook: Price Increase Was Inevitable
Apple stated that it had been trying to absorb the increase in component costs, but continuing this trend is no longer feasible.
Tim Cook, the outgoing CEO of Apple, said last week in an interview with The Wall Street Journal:
"Price increases are inevitable. Supply has decreased while demand for devices remains high, and memory manufacturers have also passed on the sharp price increases to customers."
He described this situation as "a flood that may occur once every hundred years."
Increased Memory Costs Due to AI Development
The rapid growth of AI data centers has led to a significant increase in demand for RAM and storage components; parts that are used in laptops, tablets, smartphones, and many electronic devices.
According to reports, chip suppliers have raised the prices of these components by at least 50% each quarter since late 2025.
Meanwhile, John Ternus, who will succeed Tim Cook as CEO of Apple on September 1, will take over the company's leadership just days before Apple introduces its new generation of iPhones.
Source: Gulf News