MacBook値上げ‥買い時はいつ？価格推移から読み解く2026年最新の購入戦略

MacBook Price Hike Explained: A Full Breakdown of the 2026 Price Changes — Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

“Wait, prices went up again?” On June 25, 2026, Apple abruptly revised the prices of its Mac and iPad lineups, catching many would-be buyers off guard. What made this round different was that it wasn’t tied to any new product launch — it was, in effect, an “unannounced price hike.” Seeing prices jump by tens of thousands of yen, plenty of people worried they’d already missed their window to buy.

This article lays out the actual pre- and post-increase pricing data to explain what’s really behind the hike and to help you decide whether now is the right time to buy. We’ll also look at the outlook for 2027 and beyond, including the latest confirmed chip roadmap, along with some ways to save money if you do decide to purchase.

Update (September 2026): Since this article was first drafted, Apple confirmed two major developments worth knowing before you buy — a change to its chip roadmap and a leadership transition. Both are covered later in this article.

Why Did the MacBook Price Increase Happen? The Full Story Behind the June 2026 Revision

On June 25, 2026, Apple revised prices across its Japan lineup — Mac, iPad, HomePod, and more — all at once. The most notable feature of this round was that existing models simply got more expensive, with no new model announcement attached.

Normally, Apple price increases in Japan happen alongside the launch of new models. This time, though, the changes had more the character of an “emergency revision,” driven by rapid yen depreciation and rising costs for semiconductor components.

The price increase covered Mac, iPad, HomePod, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. Meanwhile, iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, and AirTag were left out of this round (iPhone pricing was revised separately afterward, on July 18).

One contributing factor is what’s known internally as the “Apple rate” — Apple’s internal exchange rate for pricing. The Bank of Japan’s official reference exchange rate shows the yen at a historically weak level of roughly ¥159 to the dollar as of June 2026.

Reference: Bank of Japan, “Reference Exchange Rates” (June figures)

Itō’s take: Apple appears to have raised its internal exchange rate from previous levels, likely to protect its margins in Japan. That said, as explained below, exchange rates aren’t the whole story behind this price increase.

Price Comparison Table: Every MacBook Model, Before and After

Here’s a summary of exactly how much each model went up. The current lineup centers on the entry-level “MacBook Neo” and the M5-chip models that launched in March 2026. Below is a comparison of tax-included prices before and after the revision.

Model-by-Model Price Comparison

Note: Prices are subject to change — please check Apple’s official site before purchasing.

The single largest jump in absolute yen terms is the MacBook Pro 16-inch, up ¥70,000. In percentage terms, the MacBook Air 13-inch tops the list at 21.6%, showing entry- and mid-range models were hit hardest.

The MacBook Neo is particularly symbolic here. It launched in late 2025 as an “affordable Mac under ¥100,000,” but after this change it sits at ¥119,800, and that budget-friendly option has effectively disappeared.

Build-to-order (CTO) upgrade prices have also risen. A fully maxed-out configuration can now cost over ¥200,000 more than before, so it’s worth choosing carefully.

Itō’s take: What matters is whether you’re still getting value for the price. Here’s my own subjective read on how the price-to-satisfaction balance has shifted:

• March 2025 (M4 launch): Good balance between performance gains and price — satisfaction was high.
• March 2026 (M5 launch, pre-increase): Performance improved further while prices stayed roughly flat — well received.
• June 2026 (post-increase): Performance is still strong, but the psychological price barrier has risen.

The products keep getting better. But the sense of “good value” in the Japanese market is at its lowest point in years.

The Real Reason Behind the Price Hike: It’s Not Just the Yen — It’s Memory Prices

While the weak yen gets a lot of attention, the bigger driver behind this price increase may actually be the surge in semiconductor memory prices.

The rapid growth of generative AI has driven a worldwide surge in demand for high-performance memory used in AI servers. As a result, reports indicate DRAM prices — the memory chips also used in ordinary computers — have risen sharply in roughly a year.

According to multiple overseas media reports, Apple’s leadership has acknowledged that rising component costs are squeezing profit margins. This price increase looks like the result of two factors compounding each other: the weak yen and rising component costs.

Will Prices Return to Normal in 2027?

Neither factor looks likely to resolve quickly. Exchange rates depend on the U.S.–Japan interest-rate gap, and some analysts expect the memory shortage to persist into 2027 and beyond.

History suggests that once Apple’s prices rise, they rarely return to the previous level. There’s a real possibility the current range becomes the “new normal.”

Conclusion: The Right Time to Buy a MacBook Is Basically “When You Actually Need One”

“Isn’t it a bad idea to buy right after a price increase?” Here’s my take. If you have a genuine, immediate need, this is a reasonable time to lean toward buying rather than waiting.

On the exchange rate: most market watchers don’t see a strong chance of a sharp yen rebound before the end of 2026, so there’s no guarantee waiting will save you money — though currency forecasts always carry uncertainty.

On the product cycle: the current M5 models only launched in March 2026, and — as newly confirmed reports below explain — the higher-end successor isn’t expected until 2027, so the risk of the current lineup feeling outdated soon is relatively low.

Buying-Timing Guide

A “second price increase” tied to renewed currency hedging toward winter is possible, though far from certain. Worth keeping in the back of your mind, not something to plan around.

Things to Know Before You Buy: Caveats and Downsides

1. Further increases aren’t off the table, but a temporary sale or calmer exchange rate could also bring effective prices down in a few months.
2. Refurbished stock is unpredictable — the configuration you want may not be available right away.
3. Older models (like the M4) are cheaper but sold while supplies last.
4. Currency and semiconductor markets are hard to predict even for experts. Treat this article as one reference point and decide based on your own needs and budget.

Four Practical Ways to Save on a MacBook Despite the Price Hike

With list prices higher, buying smart matters more than ever. Here are four effective approaches beyond paying full price directly from Apple.

1. Go for Apple’s Certified Refurbished products — typically 15–20% below list price, with the same one-year warranty and AppleCare+ eligibility as new units.

2. Use student/educator pricing and “back to school” promotions — typically ¥10,000–¥30,000 off, plus Apple Gift Card rebates during the February–April campaign window.

3. Use Amazon sales, retailer point rewards, or a previous-generation model — Apple products were reportedly discounted by up to 34% during the early-access 2026 Prime Day sale. Trade-in bonuses and older M4 models (often excluded from the hike) are also worth comparing.

Purchase Route Comparison

Update: Apple’s Chip Roadmap Just Changed — What It Means for 2027 Buyers

Since this article was first published, two significant developments were confirmed. First, Bloomberg reported that Apple is expected to release the “M6” chip as early as the second half of 2026 — but, unusually, without higher-end “M6 Pro” or “M6 Max” variants. Those tiers are reportedly being skipped in favor of an accelerated “M7” generation, with M7 Pro and M7 Max now expected in 2027, redesigned around on-device AI performance.

Second, Apple confirmed a leadership transition: Tim Cook stepped down as CEO effective September 1, 2026, with hardware chief John Ternus taking over. Cook remains involved as executive chairman. Ternus is expected to oversee the M6/M7 rollout and Apple’s broader AI push.

For buyers, this suggests base MacBook Air/entry Pro models could refresh sooner than expected, while the biggest performance jump for MacBook Pro 14″/16″ may not land until 2027’s M7 Pro/Max. As always, treat unreleased-product reports as forecasts, not guarantees.

Company Information

Company: Apple Inc. Official website: https://www.apple.com/jp/ Key strengths: Apple’s proprietary M-series chips deliver strong processing power with low energy use, paired with a refined aluminum design and seamless integration across iPhone and iPad. Best suited for: Professional creatives, efficiency-focused business users, students, and anyone wanting a computer they can rely on for years.

Apple Inc., headquartered in Cupertino, California, develops Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch hardware alongside macOS and iOS software in-house. As of September 2026, the company is led by CEO John Ternus, following Tim Cook’s transition to executive chairman.