If you bought an Amazon Kindle, Echo smart speaker, Eero router, or Fire TV device recently, you may have noticed a significant price change. Amazon has raised prices across several popular electronics, with increases ranging from $20 to $100.
Amazon is not the only technology company increasing prices. Apple and Kobo have also raised prices on select products in recent months. Amazon declined to explain the price increases to WIRED, but an Amazon spokesperson told CNET that higher prices for memory and storage components are contributing to the increases.
The timing also raises questions about upcoming shopping events, including Prime Day and Black Friday. When the regular price of a device increases before a major sale, the discount may appear larger than it really is. Shoppers could end up paying roughly the same price they would have paid months earlier, even when a product is advertised as being on sale.
The price changes affect multiple Amazon hardware categories, including Kindle e-readers, Echo smart speakers, Eero Wi-Fi routers, and Fire TV streaming devices. The most affordable and popular models appear to be among the products most affected.
Several devices are already listed at discounted prices that closely match their previous regular prices. Before buying, compare the current sale price with historical pricing to determine whether you are actually getting a good deal.
Here is a breakdown of the latest Amazon device price increases, along with the products that may still offer strong value.
New Kindle Prices
Amazon has increased prices on every standard Kindle model by at least $30, making the company’s e-readers more expensive for shoppers looking for an affordable way to read digital books.
The Kindle Scribe lineup is the notable exception. Current second- and third-generation Kindle Scribe models, including the color versions, have retained their existing prices. That is particularly interesting because Amazon has cited rising memory and storage costs as a factor behind the broader price increases.
For shoppers who want a larger e-reader with note-taking features, the Kindle Scribe may currently be one of the better options in Amazon’s lineup. Buyers interested in a standard Kindle should compare current prices with recent historical prices before purchasing.
New Amazon Echo Prices
Amazon has also raised prices on several Echo smart speakers. Increases range from approximately $10 to $100, with the largest changes affecting Echo Show devices that include built-in displays.
The price increases make entry-level Echo speakers especially important to watch during major sales events. A product advertised with a large percentage discount may still cost about the same as it did before Amazon adjusted its regular price.
Before buying an Echo, Echo Show, Kindle, Eero router, or Fire TV device, check the product’s recent pricing history. Doing so can help you distinguish a genuine Amazon deal from a temporary discount based on a newly increased list price.
Source: www.wired.com