Redakcja Choose TV
The prices of streaming devices have risen sharply in recent weeks. First Apple introduced hefty price increases, then Roku and Amazon followed. For some models the price rises reach as much as several dozen per cent, and Walmart Onn devices have increased by over 100 per cent. Everything suggests that the problem of costly memory chips may continue to affect electronics prices for some time to come.
Streaming is getting more expensive. Amazon sharply raises Fire TV prices
After earlier increases from Apple and Roku, it’s now Amazon’s turn, as the company has decided to raise prices across its entire Fire TV range. The changes affect both the popular Fire TV Stick dongles and the much more expensive Fire TV Cube. The smallest increase concerns the Fire TV Stick HD, which has risen from $34.99 to $39.99. A much larger rise hit the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, whose price went up from $49.99 to $69.99. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max became even more expensive, now costing $84.99 instead of the previous $59.99. That represents an increase of about 42 per cent. The biggest hike in Amazon’s lineup, however, was for the Fire TV Cube. Its price jumped from $139.99 to as much as $199.99, an increase of nearly 43 per cent. Roku earlier raised the prices of its devices by up to 60 per cent, and Apple increased the price of the Apple TV 4K 128 GB from $149 to $249. For Apple this means a rise of as much as 67 per cent, one of the largest increases in the whole segment. Manufacturers explain these changes mainly by rising costs for RAM and storage chips. The problem is particularly visible in devices that use similar components at scale.
Google TV Streamer still without a price rise
Against this backdrop the Google TV Streamer is notable, as its price still stands at around $100. The device is one of the last major products of its kind that has not yet been hit by price rises resulting from the memory crisis. It is unclear, however, how long Google will be able to maintain the current price. The older Nvidia Shield TV is in a similar position, though its age makes it hard to regard it as a direct alternative to all new devices. Meanwhile, Walmart's Onn products have already risen in price in some cases by more than 100 per cent. The Onn Full HD Streaming Stick increased in price from $14.88 to $29.98, an increase of more than 101 per cent. It shows how much component costs can affect even the cheapest devices. Amazon uses MediaTek chips in its sticks, while Roku mainly relies on Realtek solutions. The Google TV Streamer also relies on a MediaTek chipset, and Onn devices use Amlogic platforms. If memory prices continue to rise, further hikes in this segment seem very likely. For users, this means buying a new streaming stick could soon cost significantly more than it did just a few months ago.
Rising prices for RAM and storage chips are starting to have a significant impact on the market for streaming devices. Apple, Roku, Amazon and Walmart have raised the prices of their products, and for some models the increase has exceeded 50, even 100 per cent. So far the Google TV Streamer is among those yet to see a price rise, but it is hard to predict whether the maker will maintain the current price. The memory crisis is increasingly showing that its effects are being felt not only by computer and console manufacturers but also by everyday users who stream.
source: flatpanelshd
