The cost of the latest technologies seems to increase each year – but this year, the prices of smartphones and laptops could climb even more because of the prices.
Last week, President Donald Trump imposed a 10% rate on imports from China, a decision that expects experts to increase prices for imported technologies and electronics, including Apple products Made in China, such as iPhones, iPads, Macbooks and AirPods.
“I expect many items that come from China or the parts are made in China increase the price,” said Doug CareyAn approved financial analyst and president of Wealthtrace, a financial planning software company.
If you are on the market for a new apple device or an imported game system, such as the PlayStation 5 Pro, here is how prices could increase and what you need to do to prepare.
What’s going on with prices?
On February 1, the 10% tariffs of President Trump on imports from China entered into force. February 5. These prices were interrupted for small value packages (those of $ 800) until “adequate systems are in place to fully and quickly treat pricing income”, according to a executive decree.
In return, China imposed new prices of 10% to 15% on certain American goods, including coal and crude oil, which were implemented on February 10. Trump should receive new prices in retaliation.
The products imported from China are already subject to prices that Trump ordered during his first mandate. The latest prices mean that prices on these goods could increase even more.
The Trump administration also planned to implement prices on imports from Canada and Mexico, but interrupted these prices for at least a month in the midst of negotiations with the two countries.
The prices, in theory, are designed to have an impact financially on other countries, because their goods are taxed. The prices are paid by the important American company the product, and this overload is generally – but not always – transmitted to the consumer in the form of higher price.
How much could the prices of the iPhone and MacBook increase?
Experts expect the prices received on China products – and potentially Canada and Mexico – will result in higher prices. This means that the technology you use every day, such as imported smartphones, shelves, laptops, televisions and even cooking devices, could become even more expensive this year.
What could this look like? If the total cost is transmitted to buyers, we could see an increase of 10%. For example, a 13 -inch MacBook Air is currently starting at $ 849 on Amazon; An increase of 10% would increase the basic price to $ 934. The iPhone 16 Pro, which starts at $ 1,000 at T-Mobile, could drop to $ 1,100.
There is also a chance that Trump can put prices on chips, which could have an impact on the price of the products that use them, but that has not yet been determined. A price of 10% on the goods made in China does not necessarily mean that prices will increase in the same amount. In some cases, they may not increase a lot, if at all.
If companies want to remain competitive, they can absorb some of the costs to maintain their lower prices, says Steven C. ConnersA certified succession planner and president of Conners Wealth Management. However, Shawn DubravacThe IPC chief economist, a manufacturing commercial association, said that some companies could move on to the non-import of China products, which could increase imports from other countries this year.
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Should you buy technology now to avoid prices later?
If you plan to buy a new iPhone, a game console, MacBook or another technology, buy it now could save money.
“For this reason, the items that people should think about buying now rather than smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions, furniture, kitchen devices, clothes and shoes,” said Carey.
But if you do not have the money at the checkout and you plan to use a credit card or buy now, pay a just plan later to avoid prices, experts say they wait. The average interest rates of credit cards are currently above 20%, the cost of financing a large purchase could eliminate any savings that you would get by buying before increasing prices due to prices.
“I would not recommend any purchase of panic, especially if these items are not necessities,” said Conners.
One way to save, even if prices are increasing, is to buy the model from last year instead of the latest version.
“If you do not plan to upgrade next year, you don’t have to rush to buy a new smartphone,” said Dubravac. “Technology is naturally deflationary, which means that over time, performance is increasing and prices generally decrease for products of similar quality.”
