Like streaming players, UHD Blu-ray players are also about to get significantly more expensive, but if you act fast you can still get them at a better price.
The news of Panasonic's price hikes was brought to the spotlight by TechRadar after Reddit users started noticing updated shop listings in the US.
Panasonic has not commented on the decision, but we probably already know the reason: Components, especially memory chips, are getting a lot more expensive due to the build-out of AI data centers. It has already affected streaming players like Apple TV 4K and Roku, and, most recently, the Google TV Streamer, as reported by Flatpanels, and of course game consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Also read: Smart TV makers lean on ad revenue to keep prices low
UHD Blu-ray now starting at $210
After LG, Oppo, Samsung and Reavon have abandoned the UHD Blu-ray market, Panasonic is one of the remaining holdouts together with Sony and Magnetar.
Panasonic has the widest lineup of UHD Blu-ray players, ranging from the entry-level UB150 to the premium UB9000. The company's most widely recommended model, UB820 or UB824, now officially costs $650, up from $500 at launch in 2018. The good news is that you can still get it for $540 if you act fast. In Europe, it can still be found for £450 and €500.
Panasonic's UB820 remains one of the widely recommended UHD Blu-ray players. Photo: Panasonic
UB9000 gets even more expensive
The flagship UB9000 is now listed at $1300, up from $999 originally, but you will be hard-pressed to find it even for $1300. It now seems to cost $1700–1800 at most stores, which is a steep price for a UHD Blu-ray player.
Also read: Blu-ray turns 20, UHD Blu-ray turns 10
These are the new official US prices, according to TechRadar:
