After the new entry-level iPad and iPad Pro were released on October 18, markets outside of the US saw a significant price increase for existing iPad mini models on Apple's website.
In the UK, the 64GB iPad Mini is now trading at €569, up from €479, while the 256GB model is now €749, up from €619. Overall, this represents a 19% increase to 21%, which is not negligible. Similar price increases can be seen in the EU market, and Apple has yet to give any explicit reason for it.
Jacking up the prices of existing iPad models to make newer versions cheaper is bad news for consumers outside the US and, in general, isn't particularly user-friendly. The same thing happened not too long ago with the iPhone SE when the iPhone 14 was released, but on a smaller scale by comparison.
It seems like a trend is emerging here, with Apple offering us new products with ever higher price tags. In our MacBook Air M2 review this year, we noted the MacBook Air's surprising new asking price compared to the MacBook Air M1 when it launched in 2020. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in new releases. and products in the future and whether we should get used to fearing the fall of a new product with the suspicion that its predecessors will be more expensive.
The terrifying thought assails us and we have to ask ourselves: will the prices of MacBooks and iPads continue to rise from now on and by how much each time? With rumors that we could get a new fleet of MacBooks any day now, this pricey consistency doesn't bode well for those of us hoping to get a new MacBook anytime soon. .
Analysis: If you want a cheap Apple device, wait for Black Friday
If MacBooks are getting more expensive, does it make sense to buy one now? As Black Friday approaches, there's a good chance prices for existing MacBooks will drop. A cheap MacBook is a relative thing: They're not cheap laptops at best, but now more than ever, you're likely to find the best MacBook for you at a less painful price.
In fact, if Apple announces new laptops, possibly a follow-up to the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro, Black Friday could be a good time to get older models as retailers clear inventory sooner. of the new versions. on sale.
Buying a new MacBook or any big tech purchase this close to Black Friday is risky because you don't want to risk buying something that ends up getting a price cut a few weeks later. We have a feeling there will be plenty of Black Friday MacBook deals later this year, so more expensive iPads might not be the bad news you were hoping for.