Apple Increases HomePod Mini Price in Several European Countries

[MacRumors]

Following its new HomePod announcement on Wednesday, Apple has quietly bumped up the price of its HomePod mini in several European countries.

In the European Union, Apple has added €10 to the original €99 price in Austria, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The price increase was spotted in France by iGeneration.

The EU price rise now matches or approximately reflects the original price of the HomePod mini in other European countries where the speaker launched only last year, such as Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

In the UK, where the cost of a HomePod mini went up from £89 to £99, Apple also quietly increased the starting price of the iMac by £150, rising from £1,249 to £1,399.

Apple next week will push out an update for the HomePod mini that activates the dormant temperature and humidity sensors in the speakers. Given that it also applies to HomePod mini devices already purchased at the lower price, that is likely to be scant consolation for anyone thinking of buying a HomePod mini today.

Article Link: Apple Increases HomePod Mini Price in Several European Countries

 

[MacWiz_007]

Ruh roh!

 

[parseckadet]

Cue the comments where Macrumors readers are shocked to learn that foreign exchange rates are a thing.

 

[atomic.flip]

Oh lord. I can see the comments flowing in now. Based on the latest spate of news from Apple it’s tempting to ask if anyone wants to guess what the next 5 headlines will be… LOL

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Is it at least free shipping in the European markets?

An unnecessary price increase but I guess it has to do with foreign exchange rates or maybe Apple is mad at the EU or something.

 

[arkitect]

Quelle surprise!

 

[Cromulent]

Cue the comments where Macrumors readers are shocked to learn that foreign exchange rates are a thing.

It has nothing to do with interest rates. The US Homepod Mini costs $99 which is £80. So Apple charging £99 is way more than people pay in the USA.

 

[kiranmk2]

In the UK, where the cost of a HomePod mini went up from £89 to £99, Apple also quietly increased the starting price of the iMac by £150, rising from £1,249 to £1,399.

That's cheating! The UK behaviour had been the prices are only upated when that product range is updated (e.g. the iPad prices went up when the range were updated, but the other products didn't)

 

[Spidder]

Cue the comments where Macrumors readers are shocked to learn that foreign exchange rates are a thing.

If it were a thing, then Apple would lower the prices as soon as the value of the Euro rises, but Apple 100% won't. It's just an excuse like inflation.

 

[centauratlas]

It has nothing to do with interest rates. The US Homepod Mini costs $99 which is £80. So Apple charging £99 is way more than people pay in the USA.

Foreign exchange rates are not interest rates, just FYI.

It could be (a) inflation, (b) foreign exchange rates, or (c) something else.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Cue the ignorance of people who don’t realize that the £ has increased substantially the last few months against the $ but Apple hasn’t lowered the prices of the iPhone, etc.

 

[tonie walker]

also was my first time to see Apple has option for Faster shipping for a Fee (in my case trying to order 2 Homepods in EU)

 

[blazerunner]

Poor Apple, only worth 2 trillion dollars and now needing to gouge their middle class consumers some more. Terrible luck!

 

[Akrapovic]

It has nothing to do with interest rates. The US Homepod Mini costs $99 which is £80. So Apple charging £99 is way more than people pay in the USA.

UK inflation is at 10%. The prices Apple set years ago are now less on real terms than what they were.

I don't agree with the price additions. But I see why these increases are what they are.

 

[d686546s]

I know, I know. Exchange rates, inflation and so on and so forth.

Apple -- but not just Apple -- has been pushing up its prices across the board quite a lot lately. The thing is, I don't really care why Apple needs to increase prices to keep its profit margin steady because my income, and the income of many other people, does not magically increase with inflation and exchange rates.

I love my Apple stuff and I'll keep using what I have for as long as it lasts, but if this trend keeps up I will be looking to move to a cheaper Android phone and a Windows computer eventually. It may not be just as smooth but it's good enough for my use case.

Apple is pricing itself out of my range. If it's just me, well that's my problem, but if Apple is slowly pricing itself out of the European (and probably Asian and Latin American etc) market then it's their problem. Time will tell, but I'm approaching or am beyond what I am willing to pay and frankly I really don't care what forces Apple's hand to keep profits steady.

 

[peteyD]

It has nothing to do with interest rates. The US Homepod Mini costs $99 which is £80. So Apple charging £99 is way more than people pay in the USA.

US prices are quoted ex sales tax. UK prices are quoted inc VAT. So £80 becomes £96. Still a shocker given the £ has increased in value against the $ recently.

 

[madrag]

Cue the comments where Macrumors readers are shocked to learn that foreign exchange rates are a thing.

Well, not really due to exchange rates, maybe a little bit, but mostly just seeking the most profit as possible.

In a not so distant past, in Portugal (my country) any Mac/Apple gadget was a great deal more expensive than the price USA's people would pay. Apple justified it with the exchange rate. When the two currencies were in parity (or even a higher rate for the USD), I didn't see any change in the prices. It is only going up, never down.

BTW, I bet you don't live in Europe (and I would also bet that you live in USA). I say this because you don't know the perpective of outside of the USA. If you live outside, than I'm sorry for that assumption, you just are not affected by this "injustice".

 

[citysnaps]

It has nothing to do with interest rates. The US Homepod Mini costs $99 which is £80. So Apple charging £99 is way more than people pay in the USA.

What would the price be when the mandatory VAT is included?

 

[atomic.flip]

Foreign exchange rates are not interest rates, just FYI.

It could be (a) inflation, (b) foreign exchange rates, or (c) something else.

Import duties…. This likely has more to do with changes to import taxes or VAT for each respective region.

Otherwise as some have stated the prices appear artificially higher in those countries.

Granted…. The prices of many things seem artificially higher everywhere right now. LOL

 

[webkit]

It looks like HomePod mini prices overseas are now more in line with pre-sales tax U.S. price of $99.

Pre-VAT price of HomePod mini in various European countries is now €88 to €91 (VAT can vary by county) which is equal to around $95 to $98 USD.

Pre-VAT price of HomePod mini in UK is £82 which is equal to around $101 USD.

 

[Cromulent]

What would the price be when the mandatory VAT is included?

UK prices are listed, including VAT. You can't list consumer prices with VAT excluded. You can only do that if you are selling to a business.

 

[atomic.flip]

What would the price be when the mandatory VAT is included?

Isn’t it always standard practice to include VAT in the list price for consumers in Europe and UK?

I know for Europe it’s been that way for decades, as well as Scandinavia.

Unlike the United States where depending on what “county” you are in at the time of purchase the retail sales tax can vary by a few percent. So for simplicity’s sake it is added on at the time of purchase by the specific retailer.

Don’t get me started on Internet vs brick and mortar and Canada is an entirely other level of nuts with how they calculate retail sales tax. LOL

 

[vegetassj4]

What’s the big deal? Now they are the same price as a carton of eggs.

 

[atomic.flip]

UK prices are listed, including VAT. You can't list consumer prices with VAT excluded. You can only do that if you are selling to a business.

Exactly as I thought was the case. Thanks for confirming that!

 

[gusping]

And now Apple will wonder why their ‘smart’ speakers continue to sell like junk. The new big homepod is still horrifically priced here in Europe.