Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
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Apple Drops HomePod Price to $299, Down From $349
Apple today cut the price of HomePod on its online store by $50, with the smart speaker now listed for $299, down from $349. The price drop follows recent promotional discounts at several third-party retailers across the U.S.
Similar price reductions have also appeared in other regions and territories on Thursday, with the price of a HomePod in the United Kingdom falling from £319 to £279, for instance.
Apple's expensive HomePod speaker accounted for just six percent of the U.S. smart speaker installed base through the fourth quarter of 2018, according to a February report.
Research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimates that the U.S. installed base of smart speakers reached 66 million units last quarter of 2018, suggesting HomePod sales in the country totaled around 3.96 million units since the speaker became available to order in January 2018. Apple does not disclose exact HomePod sales figures.
By comparison, the Amazon Echo and Google Home reportedly accounted for 70 percent and 24 percent of the installed base respectively, with both products proving to be popular holiday gifts.
In April 2018, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was "mulling" a "low-cost version" of the HomePod, potentially due to shipments of the current version being "far below market expectations." A report out of China said the lower-cost HomePod could be priced between $150 and $200 in the United States.
Similar price reductions have also appeared in other regions and territories on Thursday, with the price of a HomePod in the United Kingdom falling from £319 to £279, for instance.
Apple's expensive HomePod speaker accounted for just six percent of the U.S. smart speaker installed base through the fourth quarter of 2018, according to a February report.
Research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimates that the U.S. installed base of smart speakers reached 66 million units last quarter of 2018, suggesting HomePod sales in the country totaled around 3.96 million units since the speaker became available to order in January 2018. Apple does not disclose exact HomePod sales figures.
By comparison, the Amazon Echo and Google Home reportedly accounted for 70 percent and 24 percent of the installed base respectively, with both products proving to be popular holiday gifts.
In April 2018, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was "mulling" a "low-cost version" of the HomePod, potentially due to shipments of the current version being "far below market expectations." A report out of China said the lower-cost HomePod could be priced between $150 and $200 in the United States.
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Top Rated Comments
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7 months ago
I picked one up for $179 at Best Buy. $249 on sale with $70 in cash back rewards from my other BB purchases. Worth it at that price.
So you picked it up at $249 then.
7 months ago
No offense but -$50 from Apple is like Ramen giving you a free noodle with every package purchased haha!
7 months ago
Others here will list as a ‘flop’ now because Apple dropped the price. Anyone that’s experienced the HomePod, knows exactly what this speaker is capable of producing in terms of quality sound. I don’t regret purchasing mine for the Original $350 price point.
7 months ago
Or, they could just keep the same price, add a jack & allow any audio to be bluetoothed to it, I don't think the price is the main issue.;)
7 months ago
no thanks
Why thank you for your informative and well thought out reply. I must say it has massively influenced my feelings about Homepod and Apple in general. You should move into politics.
7 months ago
No thanks. Not even interested at $99. I don't need "smart speakers" in my home, especially ones that rely on Siri which is absolutely horrendous.
Whoever is in charge of Siri development needs a damn good shoeing.
Whoever is in charge of Siri development needs a damn good shoeing.
7 months ago
No offense but -$50 from Apple is like Ramen giving you a free noodle with every package purchased haha!
This comment made my morning.
They are heading in the right direction on this, but all Apple pricing right now is a convoluted mess.
7 months ago
I don't even regret buying the HomePod (paid 269GBP on ebay)
The sound is truly awesome. And the bass, oh that bass. (Expensive but) Great product by Apple.
The sound is truly awesome. And the bass, oh that bass. (Expensive but) Great product by Apple.
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