Apple customers are raising concerns after sharp price increases hit external storage devices sold through the company’s retail channels, with some solid-state drives tripling in cost.
Recent listings show a SanDisk 4-terabyte external SSD jumping from about $500 to roughly $1,200, while a 1-terabyte version has risen from around $120 to $360.
The increases are being seen both online and in Apple’s physical stores, though availability varies. Some models are already difficult to find.
Why It Matters
External drives are widely used by professionals including photographers, video editors and designers, meaning sudden price increases can have an immediate impact on workflows and costs.
Demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure is straining supply chains for memory and storage components, which are now being prioritized for data centers over consumer products.
That pressure is beginning to filter down to everyday buyers.
What To Know
Apple does not manufacture most of the external drives it sells, and pricing is set by third-party vendors.
Still, the increases are visible across Apple’s storefront. AppleInsider reported that the hikes are tied to shortages in storage technology. In some cases, drives are sold out online, leaving higher-priced inventory primarily in physical retail locations.
The trend is not limited to Apple’s ecosystem. Other major retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, are also seeing higher prices and tighter supply.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the shortages are linked to surging demand for AI-related hardware, which is consuming large amounts of memory and storage components.
The same supply pressures are already affecting Apple’s own hardware—the company has raised prices on newer MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
While the changes to MacBooks are less dramatic than those seen in external drives, they suggest the impact of shortages is spreading beyond accessories and into Apple’s core product lineup.
What People Are Saying
Gizmodo described Apple Store pricing for some drives as “astronomical.”
AppleInsider wrote that supply constraints tied to AI demand are “hurting consumers,” as both prices and availability worsen.
Some users on Reddit also pointed to AI demand as a key driver behind the increases.
One commenter wrote that “all the chips are bought out by AI preorders,” while another added that consumers are “a drop in the ocean compared to what these companies pay.”
What’s Next
Supply pressures are expected to continue as investment in AI infrastructure accelerates.
With external storage already in short supply and costs rising quickly, consumers and professionals may face ongoing challenges sourcing affordable hardware throughout the year.
Pacthman.co reached out to Apple for comment via email.
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