When Apple introduced the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, it was quick to point out that the telephones start at the same prices as their predecessors, regardless of rumors that they might price extra this yr. Likewise, the Apple Watch Series 8 additionally received a number of upgrades, however remains to be promoting for a similar value because the Series 7. As CNBC points out, although, these gadgets have gotten value bumps in a number of different international locations, together with the UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, and Germany.

In some instances, getting Apple’s newest gadgets will price considerably extra now than final yr. In the UK, for instance, the iPhone 14 now prices £849, whereas the 13 began at £779. The Apple Watch is much less of a bounce however remains to be costlier, with the Series 8 beginning at £419, up from £369. In Ireland, the common iPhone went from €909 to €1,019, with the Pro mannequin going as much as €170. I checked costs for France and Italy — two different international locations that use the Euro — and the story is comparable.

It’s price noting that this implies the entry level to Apple’s present mainline iPhone lineup is now a lot larger; the Mini is not there as an choice that’s 100 Pounds or Euros cheaper (although the 13 Mini remains to be on the market). These value jumps are additionally taking place as inflation is hitting the financial system and as skyrocketing power payments squeeze the UK.

Analysts that spoke to CNBC mentioned that a part of the explanation Apple raised the costs outdoors of the US could possibly be attributable to how robust the greenback is, in comparison with different currencies. The Yen, specifically, has fallen by round 24 % over the previous yr, and the pound is the weakest it has been in decades in comparison with the greenback.

Historically, international locations haven’t essentially benefited when their currencies have been stronger than the greenback — in August 2021, the pound was price round $1.40, but the iPhone’s value within the UK was the identical because it was within the US: 799. That meant that the British have been paying the equal of roughly $1,120. The scenario was related in Ireland, the place the iPhone 12 bought for €929, regardless of the Euro’s worth of $1.20.

The present spherical of value bumps isn’t common. The iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and Apple Watch Series 8 all price the identical as their predecessors in China, and whereas most gadgets price extra now in India, the bottom iPhone 14 is identical 79900.00 Rupees because the iPhone 13. IDC analyst Bryan Ma hypothesized to CNBC that Apple was holding costs the identical in China as a result of it’s an necessary marketplace for the corporate and doesn’t need to harm any momentum it’s constructing.