Apple discounts HomePod price to $299 in U.S. via $50 price drop

Late last week, Apple cut the price of its HomePod smart speaker on its online store by $50, the price dropping from $349 to $299. The price drop follows a bevy of recent promotional discounts at a number of third-party retailers across the United States.

Similar price reductions 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 HomePod speaker, which was generally priced higher than its competitors, accounted for only six percent of the U.S. smart speaker installed base through the fourth quarter of 2018.

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. 

The Amazon Echo and Google Home smart speakers are thought to have accounted for 70 percent and 24% of the U.S. installed base, respectively, the speakers 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.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via MacRumors and Apple