Apple hikes Apple Music and Apple One prices citing licensing costs
Individual and family plans see monthly increases of $1 to $3, while bundled Apple One services rise by $2, marking a significant shift in subscription pricing for the tech giant.
Apple has implemented a price increase for its Apple Music and Apple One subscription services, attributing the adjustment to rising licensing costs. The move marks the first significant price hike for these digital services since 2022, when subscription costs similarly jumped by $1 or more across various tiers.
Under the new pricing structure, the Individual Apple Music plan has risen from $11 to $12 per month. The Family plan has seen a larger increase, moving from $17 to $20 per month, while the Student plan has gone up from $6 to $7 per month. These adjustments reflect the growing expense of securing music rights in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.
For users enrolled in the Apple One bundle, the changes are slightly more targeted. The Individual Apple One plan remains unchanged at $20 per month. However, the Family and Premium bundles have both increased by $2, now costing $28 and $40 per month respectively. The Premium tier continues to offer the most comprehensive suite, including Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and varying amounts of iCloud storage.
The timing of this price adjustment coincides with broader inflationary pressures in the technology sector. Apple recently raised prices across most of its hardware lineup, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and wearables, in June, a move attributed to RAM shortages. This simultaneous increase in hardware and software costs places additional pressure on consumer spending power.
The digital streaming market remains highly competitive, with recent moves by rivals such as Spotify, which increased its US Premium plan prices. While digital subscriptions dominate the sector, industry reports note a concurrent resurgence in physical media sales in the United States. Engadget has contacted Apple for further comment on the licensing justification and will update this report if additional information becomes available.
