Apple has announced a significant price increase for its Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple One bundles in the United States and several other countries, including Singapore. This move follows similar actions by streaming giants like Netflix and Spotify earlier this year.
A quick look at the new pricing
Here's a snapshot of the revised pricing against the old rates:
- Apple TV+ is now priced at S$13.98, up from S$9.98
- Apple Arcade will now cost you S$9.98, a jump from S$6.98
- Apple One Bundle for individuals has increased to S$23.95 from S$16.95
- Apple One Bundle for families is now at S$29.95, up from S$22.95
Is this a trend or a one-off?
This isn't the first time Apple has upped the price for Apple TV+. The video streaming service was initially launched in 2019 at S$6.98. It saw its first price hike to S$9.98 on November 1, 2022, and now it stands at S$13.98. On the bright side, Apple Music subscribers can breathe easily as the service has not seen a price increase this time.
Apple's decision to increase its subscription fees comes on the heels of Netflix's price hike in the U.S. Earlier in July, Spotify also decided to revise its subscription fees. However, Apple's recent price hikes are notably steep. Specifically, Apple TV+ has seen a 40% increase, and Apple Arcade's price has surged by 42%.
How does Apple's pricing compare?
While the increases are substantial, it's worth noting that Apple TV+ is still generally cheaper than competitors like Netflix and Disney+. However, critics argue that Apple TV+'s content library isn't as extensive or compelling, making the price hike harder to swallow for some users.
