Apple raises iPhone 17 prices by 10% in Japan amid weak yen

Apple has raised prices for some products, including the iPhone 17, by about 10% in Japan. This decision comes as the Japanese yen continues to weaken, reaching its lowest point against the U.S. dollar in 40 years.

The price adjustment is seen as a direct response to the prolonged weakness of the yen. For Apple, which sells products in yen but converts earnings to dollars, a depreciating yen reduces the profitability of its Japanese operations. The official Apple website in Japan now lists the 256GB iPhone 17 model at 142,800 yen, an increase of 13,000 yen (approximately 10%) from its previous price of 129,800 yen.

The iPhone 17 Pro model also saw a price increase, rising by 15,000 yen to 194,800 yen from 179,800 yen, an 8.3% hike. These changes will likely increase the financial burden on Japanese consumers looking to purchase the latest iPhones.

This move follows Apple's global price increases for products like Macs and iPads due to rising component costs driven by increased demand for memory chips for AI data centers. However, the company chose not to adjust iPhone prices in other countries, indicating a specific strategy for the Japanese market amid its currency challenges.