iPhone and iPad owners in the UK face another price increase this winter, with the news that Apple is going to increase price ranges on its App Store. In some cases, apps can become up to 20% more expensive.
Effective February 13, the price levels set in August 2021 (PDF) will be replaced. While the previous standard tiers started at 89p and went up to £899.99, the new (PDF) range from 99p to £999.99. The cheapest alternative tier option remains, however, at 49 cents.
Since Apple likes to hit round numbers, or 1p below round numbers, the size of the increases is not consistent. The lowest non-free tier, for example, rises from 89p to 99p, an 11% increase; while the £2.49 tier rises to £2.99, which represents a 20% increase.
Here are the increases to some of the most commonly used current levels, along with the percentage:
89p to 99p = 11% £1.79 to £1.99 = 11% £2.49 to £2.99 = 20% £3.49 to £3.99 = 14% from £4, 49 to £4.99 = 11% from £4.99 to £5.99 = 20% from £9.99 to £11.99 = 20% from £14.99 to £16.99 = 13% from £ £19.99 to £22.99 = 15%
Auto-renewing subscription costs are unaffected by price increases.
The actual price increase observed by customers may be inconsistent. As Apple sets the tier structure, developers choose the tier at which their app is priced, and some may choose to step down in response to the increase.
In addition to the UK App Store, Apple announced price tier increases in Colombia, Egypt, Hungary, Nigeria, Norway and South Africa. The company says these changes reflect “changes in taxes and exchange rates.” At the same time it is lowering prices in Uzbekistan.
Last fall Apple raise App Store prices in a large number of countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The biggest jump was in Japan, where levels rose more than 30%.
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