Rising Costs of Apple Devices, AI Tools, and Whey Protein Impact Indian IT Workers

By: Harsh Vardhan

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Updated on: 30-Jun-2026 02:00 PM

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Indian IT professionals are facing rising costs for key lifestyle products in 2026. Apple has increased prices for MacBooks, Mac Minis, and iPads. AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT have become more expensive due to new token-based pricing. Whey protein prices in India have surged by up to 250 percent since 2024. These increases are affecting the daily lives and spending habits of software engineers and coders, especially in cities like Bengaluru.

Key Highlights

• Apple increased MacBook, Mac Mini, and iPad prices in India by up to Rs 1 lakh.
• AI tool subscriptions like Claude and ChatGPT now cost more due to token-based pricing.
• Whey protein prices in India have risen by 200 to 250 percent since 2024.
• IT workers are seeking free or open-source AI tools for personal use.
• Many professionals are reconsidering spending habits and switching to affordable alternatives.

Apple Device Price Hikes

Apple announced significant price increases for its MacBook, Mac Mini, and iPad lines in India. The price hike has shocked many IT workers who rely on these devices for work and personal use. For example, some MacBook models have seen price jumps of up to Rs 1 lakh. Senior engineer Preetish Biswal says he still finds value in Apple products if they boost productivity. He states, “If my productivity goes up significantly by buying the product, I would still buy it because productivity is greater than saving a few bucks.”

However, not all IT professionals agree. Dibyanshu, co-founder of a travel-tech startup, says the 50 percent premium is not worth it for an upgrade. He notes, “Overpaying up to 50 per cent premium isn't worth it for an upgrade for me.”

AI Tool Subscription Costs

AI companies have shifted to token-based pricing for tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini. This change has made AI subscriptions more expensive for individual users. Many IT engineers depend on these tools for daily tasks. Dibyanshu says, “AI has become an indispensable part of my life. Even though the costs keep increasing, I will keep paying because it makes life easier.”

Some companies cover the cost of AI tools for their employees. Rajat Bansal, a software development engineer, says his company encourages AI use and has not restricted access. He adds, “I use it very frequently and I am very dependent on it.” For personal use, however, Bansal would consider free options like Gemini if his company stopped paying.

Other IT workers, such as Ankita Som, face monthly limits on AI usage at their firms. She sometimes has to switch models or lower the reasoning level to stay within limits. Shrestha Banerjee, a developer at TCS, says she now evaluates paid AI tools more critically. She only pays if the tool saves significant time or improves productivity. Otherwise, she prefers free or lower-cost options.

Open-source and free AI models are becoming more popular among IT workers for personal use. Sreeja Ghosh, also at TCS, notes that free versions can be effective with the right prompts. Developer Karan Tripathy adds that he sticks to free features and avoids premium plans for personal use.

Whey Protein Price Surge

Whey protein prices in India have increased by 200 to 250 percent since 2024. This sharp rise has led some IT workers to reconsider their protein sources. Karan Tripathy says, “The price increase has made me rethink my protein intake. I'm considering switching to more affordable alternatives like pea or yeast protein.”

A market researcher shared that the 4kg whey protein he once bought for Rs 8,500 now costs Rs 16,000. He has since switched brands, saying he will not return to the previous one due to the cost.

Changing Spending Habits

Many IT employees report that rising prices are forcing them to adjust their lifestyles. Rajat Bansal notes that with no proportional salary hikes, surplus income is shrinking. Karan Tripathy says he is now more conscious of his spending and seeks affordable alternatives. However, Preetish Biswal remains willing to pay more if the product meets his needs and justifies the cost.