➡️ The Shortcut Skinny: Apple services price hike

• 📈 The price of an Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple One subscription has increased

• 😣 You’ll now have to pay 40% more a month for Apple TV+, 10% more for Apple Music, and 13% more for Apple One

• 🥇 This is the first time Apple has raised its subscription prices in the US

• 🗣 Apple says the Apple Music price hike is due to increased licensing costs, while Apple TV+ launched with a “very low price” but is now home to “award-winning and broadly acclaimed series

Apple has hiked the price of its Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscription services, and the Apple One bundle price is also increasing.

Those who subscribe to Apple’s music streaming service will have to pay an extra $1 per month, while family plans can expect to pay $2 more a month. The cost of Apple TV+ is increasing by $2, and Apple One — Apple’s all-in-one bundle that includes up to six Apple services — is going up by around $3 per month.

That’s an increase of 40% for Apple TV+, 10% for Apple Music, and 13% for Apple One for individual plans (Apple TV+ doesn’t have a family plan).

An Apple spokesperson outlined why the cost of Apple Music and Apple TV+ has increased (thanks, 9to5Mac).

“The subscription prices for Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple One will increase beginning today. The change to Apple Music is due to an increase in licensing costs, and in turn, artists and songwriters will earn more for the streaming of their music. We also continue to add innovative features that make Apple Music the world’s best listening experience. We introduced Apple TV+ at a very low price because we started with just a few shows and movies. Three years later, Apple TV+ is home to an extensive selection of award-winning and broadly acclaimed series, feature films, documentaries, and kids and family entertainment from the world’s most creative storytellers.” — Apple spokesperson

While it’s hard to dispute Apple’s reasoning, the news will still come as a blow to those who are already counting the pennies. However, it isn’t too surprising. Apple’s price increase follows the likes of like Amazon Prime and Disney+, which all bumped up the price of their services. YouTube Premium’s family plans have also received a price hike.

It’s not just subscription costs that are on the rise, though. Hardware prices have also increased this year, with Sony raising the price of the PS5 in every territory but the US, and Meta increasing the price of its Meta Quest 2 headset by $100. Sony and Meta blamed the rise in shipping costs and inflation.

Here’s a full breakdown of the Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple One price increases:

Apple TV+

• Monthly: $6.99 per month (from $4.99) — 40% increase

• Annual: $69 per year (from $49.99) — 38% increase

Apple Music

• Individual: $10.99 per month (from $9.99) — 10% increase

• Family: $16.99 per month (from $14.99) — 13% increase

• Individual Annual: $109 per year (from $99) — 10%

Apple One

• Individual: $16.95 per month (from $14.95) — 13% increase

• Family: $22.95 per month (from $19.95) — 15% increase

• Premier: $32.95 per month (from $29.95) — 10% increase

Based on these prices, and this is usually the case with the majority of subscription services, you’re best paying the annual cost upfront to save yourself a bit of cash.

It’s likely that Apple’s services will also increase outside of the US, but you should receive an email outlining the planned price increase 30 days before your subscription renews at the new price point.

It’s always worth keeping an eye out for Apple’s ongoing three-months-free subscription deals, too. Retailers often include three months of Apple Music and Apple TV+ when you buy select products, but it usually only applies to new subscribers.