As Apple announced in a note to developers, starting October 5th, retail prices in the App Store will be increased in some countries. The entire euro area is also affected, including Germany. The adjustment affects both apps and in-app purchases.
Weak euro reason for price increase
Automatic renewals of subscriptions are initially not automatically adjusted in price. The reason for the price adjustment is the changed exchange rates between the US dollar and the euro, as the US dollar has now appreciated significantly against the euro, which has recently also been reflected in the prices of the new iPhone 14, which is being sold in the euro zone in have become more expensive compared to the previous year, while remaining stable in the USA.
Price levels will be adjusted
Apple's App Store pricing model gives developers a choice of price tiers at which to list their apps for sale. These price levels are now being increased in price. The first level, in which apps were previously offered for EUR 0.99, increases to EUR 1.19, for example. The second level even increases from 1.99 euros to 2.49 euros. The most expensive level increases from 999.99 euros to 1,199.99 euros. Apple has published the new pricing structure for Europe in a PDF document.
Developers can freely select, but only from these levels
Of course, developers are now free to choose a different price level for their apps than before, for example so as not to pass on the customization to the customer. Especially with the cheapest and at the same time most frequently selected price levels, where the difference is comparatively large at 1.19 and 2.49 euros, there is no sensible alternative at all to avoid passing the price increase on to the customer. Anyone who has been considering an app for around EUR 0.99 for some time should now buy it before October 5th.
Not only affected in the eurozone
The following countries are also affected by the price increase: Egypt, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Sweden and Vietnam. In Vietnam, the new pricing structure also takes into account legal changes that require Apple to collect and pass on taxes due directly in the App Store.