Despite a recent quadrupling in the price of RAM and flash storage driven by burgeoning AI data center demand, Apple is projected to maintain the pricing of its upcoming M5 MacBook Pro series. This stability is attributed to Apple's current high profit margins on memory upgrades and its reliance on long-term supply contracts.

Specifically, upgrading from 16GB to 32GB costs $400, whereas the market price for 16GB of DDR5 is approximately$230, indicating a substantial markup. While the margin is narrower for larger upgrades, such as 64GB to 128GB costing $800 against a market price of around$700 for a 64GB DDR5 kit, Apple's existing contractual agreements mitigate immediate pricing pressure. Historical precedent also supports this, as Apple has previously absorbed cost increases, such as during tariff crises, without significant consumer price adjustments.

However, industry analyses forecast a sustained upward trend in memory prices, anticipating a cumulative increase of approximately 55% quarter-over-quarter until Q1 2026. This projection suggests that a price adjustment may become unavoidable when the subsequent M6 Mac series is released. Factors like increased supply prioritization for AI enterprises and shifts within critical component supply chains, including TSMC, could further erode the efficacy of Apple's existing long-term contracts.

Consequently, while consumers requiring high-capacity memory might consider pre-emptive purchases, the general user base is unlikely to face immediate price hikes. The short-term outlook indicates continued stability in Mac memory pricing.