How the AI Memory Shortage Is Raising iPhone and Mac mini Prices

AI data centers need large amounts of high-bandwidth memory and server DRAM. As manufacturers direct production toward those markets, less capacity is available for the memory used in phones and PCs. That has helped push up component costs, although it is not possible to attribute every retail price increase solely to memory.282417

What changed for iPhone buyers?

In the U.S., the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 and the Pro Max at $1,299, each $100 above its predecessor. Apple’s new foldable iPhone Duo starts at $1,999; because it is a new model, that figure is not a year-over-year increase. Apple also added $100 to the starting prices of iPhones it continues to sell new: the iPhone 16 is now $799, the iPhone 17e $699, the iPhone 17 $899 and the iPhone Air $1,099.354336

For the U.K., The Guardian reports a £100 increase across the iPhone range, including older models, and a £60–£70 increase for Apple’s refurbished iPhone stock. The available reporting does not provide a reliable model-by-model list of U.K. starting prices or before-and-after refurbished prices.1

How do Samsung and Google compare?

The same U.K. report says Samsung and Google added up to £80 to their flagship phones. That is less than the reported £100 U.K. iPhone-range increase, but “up to” is not a like-for-like comparison of particular models or storage configurations. The provided sources do not establish comparable U.S. increases for those rivals.1

Why is the M6 Mac mini’s increase quoted two ways?

The M6 Mac mini starts at $899 in the U.S. and £899 in the U.K. The preceding M4 model launched at $599 and £599, so comparing launch prices produces a $300 or £300 increase. But the older Mac mini’s U.S. starting price had already risen to $799 before the M6 arrived. Against that more recent price, the U.S. increase is $100. Those comparisons use different baselines; neither should be presented as the only price change.92712

Reviewers describe a capable computer that is harder to recommend purely on price. Tom’s Hardware says the new Mac mini is losing its grip on value, while a review roundup quotes WIRED calling it “still a good deal.” Whether it remains good value depends on the buyer’s needs, not just the change in its starting price.36

What does the shortage mean for Apple—and when might it ease?

Apple has reportedly agreed to pay 30%–40% more for DRAM and NAND than it was paying in the third quarter of 2026. Higher component costs put pressure on hardware margins unless offset by higher selling prices or other savings. The available evidence does not quantify the effect on Apple’s margins or show that memory alone caused any particular $100 increase.3717

There is no agreed date for relief. Micron chief executive Sanjay Mehrotra has said DRAM and NAND demand significantly exceeds supply and expects tight conditions beyond 2027. A CSIS analysis says some industry estimates place meaningful new capacity in 2028; Deloitte gives a later 2029–2030 window for new supply in its analysis. These are differing forecasts about supply, not promises that iPhone or Mac prices will return to earlier levels.212623