We have read a lot on the prices. And they still focus on the iPhone. It is logical: it is Apple's star product, the one that receives the most attention from the media. But there is the trap. Although we speculate on the question of whether the next iPhone will cost us more, we put aside the rest of the ecosystem. In the latest financial results, The iPhone is already less than half of the Apple market. And a large part of these products will also make a bump.
When your iPhone falls and the screen breaks, when your airpods start to lose battery, or when you need a new cable because yours has started to fail just for the part that folds … there is where the prices will show their true face.
Airpods remain outside the price exemption
Although the tariff war is on a break, it is a question that in one or two months, they return with much higher percentages. Apple led to the manufacture of the iPhone in India and, with the AirPods, did the same in Vietnam. With her They will try to mitigate the hole in pricing incomeThat Tim Cook himself estimated $ 900 million in the quarter.
So far, Apple has assumed that the cost, and also, the United States has made a price exemption from products such as the iPhone or Mac. However, There are products that are not carried out from these months of truce: AirPods and all their accessories, which many have as the only Chinese origin. Case, cables, mouse, keyboards … endless products that we generally buy more regularly than renewing its own iPhone and that it is also possible that they are envisaged.
The case of Airpodswhich are practically sealed with glue, making Impossible his repair. And after two or three years, his battery degrades until they force a brand new purchase. Apple currently invoices around 59 dollars to replace a single Airpod battery. Not both, but one of one. With prices, this service could be much more expensive. Even if it initially affects the United States, as we will deal with later.
The invisible repair market
But not only for new products. As a former worker of an Apple technical service, repairs are a very important part of the company. Not only as a source of income, but as the possibility of strengthening users within the ecosystem. Many people prefer (or cannot) change the battery of their iPhone. That's it or go to Android. This is where the real economic impact is hidden.
Part of the iPhone of customers arrived in irreparable conditions
Almost all (screens, batteries, cameras, shavings, sensors) come directly from China. They do not cross India or Vietnam, where the devices are assembled. They are made 100% in China and will be 100% assigned by prices. The repair workshops, official and independent, depend on these parts to give an additional life to our devices. They work with tight margins. In fact, many technical services earn only a few dollars for each repair. In the case of batteries, it does not reach a margin of 20%. Having to pay with this gain of wages, rentals, etc.
With this, it is possible that in the United States a screen, Instead of costing around $ 400 to repair it, drop to $ 1000 If the 150% China price is added. Will this finish the American repairs market? With a price similar to that of an iPhone that has been imported from India, there is a clear drawback.
Apple global strategy
Apple is very conservative with its communications and attitude concerning prices. In return, he obtained a preferential treatment with the Trump administration to win what he needs the most: It is time to reorganize any logistics. So far, Apple absorbs this additional cost, but it is possible that with the arrival of the iPhone 17, everything changes. Apple generally takes advantage of new products to update prices throughout the store. Thus, blankets, straps, cables and chargers may have an increased price increase.
And although the prices would theoretically increase that the American market, there are many rumors which indicate that what it will be to seek a global balance in their prices, preventing a single market from loading with all the impact. Maybe repair parts have a direct privilege in the United States. But a screen change for a thousand dollars is something that, for many mathematics that apply, is difficult to believe. Maybe Apple absorbs a part and download the price in others. Until moving production in more countries outside of China.
What is clear is that we are no longer talking about the increase in the price of an iPhone or Mac. We are talking about an entire ecosystem of accessories and repairs It could be seriously affected. The next time you see a title on the price of the iPhone 17, do not forget that the price bill continues with each broken cable, each battery that degrades and each screen that must be repaired.
Cover | UNSPASH (Daniel Romero)
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