The price of the iPhone 13 has increased in Japan. Faced with the depreciation of the Japanese yen, Apple was forced to inflate its prices. Could the Californian giant do the same in France?
Apple has announced a price increase for its iPhone 13 in Japan. The increase affects both the most affordable smartphones and high-end devices. On the brand’s Japanese store, l’iPhone SE 2022 is now offered at a starting price of 62,800 yen (about 444 euros), against 57,800 yen (about 409 euros) previously. On his side, l’iPhone 13 Pro is sold at a price of 144,800 yen (1,024 euros approximately), against 122,800 yen (868 euros, approximately) a few days ago. The standard iPhone 13 is now on sale for 117,800 yen (833 euros), against 98,800 yen (699 euros approximately) before the increase.
Some models show an increase of up to up to 20%. Apple has also inflated the price of some Macs. On the other hand, Apple did not increase the price of iPads, Apple Watches or AirPods. The Cupertino giant did not reveal the reason behind this sudden price increase.
Read also: iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8, AirPods Pro 2… here are all of Apple’s upcoming announcements
The fall of the Japanese yen
As pointed out by our colleagues from 9to5Macthe price increase would have been decreed following the decline in value of the yen, the national currency of Japan, against the US dollar. Since January 2022, the price of the yen has contracted by 14%. This is the first time in 24 years that the Japanese currency has lost so much value.
The third most traded currency in the world is experiencing its largest annual decline since 2013. This fall is the result of the policy of the central bank of japan, the body responsible for issuing the national currency. Unlike the central banks of other countries, it refuses to raise interest rates in order to avoid a recession. This strategy accelerated the decline in value of the yen.
Whereas the spread between Japanese and foreign interest rates widens, the US dollar gained in value against the Japanese currency. A dollar is now worth just over 135 yen. Despite the fall of the yen, the monetary authorities of the Archipelago refuse to change course. Under these conditions, Apple resolved to raise its prices in order to protect its profits.
Rising prices in France?
In France, Apple has never suddenly increased the prices of a range of products during marketing. On the other hand, the Californian giant has often applied a price increase on the occasion of the release of a new generation. This was particularly the case with the latest generation of iPhone SE, whose call price has symbolically crossed the 500 euro mark.
Given the monetary situation, it is not impossible that Apple will end up increasing the price of its iPhone 13 in France. Mirroring the yen, the euro has lost value over the past few months. During the first half of the year, the official currency of the European Union depreciated by 7.8%. From now on, a dollar is worth around 0.96 euro. For now, no official information suggests that Apple has decided to come to this. The difference between the euro and the dollar is not as important as with the yen.
In addition, Apple would have planned to sell its future iPhone 14 at a higher price than their predecessors. According to the latest leaks, iPhone 14 Pro could be sold for $100 more than iPhone 13 Pro. Except surprise, this increase should be reflected in phones sold on European soil.
9to5Mac