Apple has announced that it is raising prices of apps and in-app purchases, excluding auto-renewing subscriptions, in various regions starting October 5. All territories that use the euro are affected, along with Chile, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Sweden and Vietnam. Apple says the price increase in Vietman reflects new laws that require the company to collect value-added tax (VAT) and corporate income tax.
The amount added to the above prices varies, depending on the updated price tier list (PDF) has published the technology giant. Apps currently costing 99 cents will cost users €1.19 in euro territories, while those costing €4.99 will cost one euro more at €5.99. The additional charge increases the higher you are in the price tier: purchases that cost €14.99, for example, will cost people €17.99.
Apple did not explain the reason for the price increase in most territories apart from Vietnam. For countries that use the euro, it could be due in part to the fact that the euro is weak against the dollar and even fell below parity for the first time in nearly two decades. Perhaps this price increase shouldn’t come as a surprise because of that, as people are also expected to pay much, much more for the iPhone 14 in Europe than they do in the US. The iPhone 14 Pro, for example, will cost a Buyers $999 in the US converted, that’s just €997, but the model is priced at €1,299 in Germany, €1,319 in Spain, and €1,339 in Italy.
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