Apple just got more expensive. Cut costs with the best credit cards for Apple purchases

Apple announced price hikes on Thursday as a result of skyrocketing memory and storage chip costs, primarily driven by the AI boom . As such, the company is making price adjustments to many popular products, which are now live on its online store, including: MacBook Neo: Starting at $699 (originally $599) MacBook Air: Starting at $1,299 (originally $1,099) MacBook Pro: Starting price $1,999 (originally $1,699) iPad Air: Starting price $749 (originally $599) iPad Pro: Starting price $1,199 (originally $999) Price hikes are never welcome news, especially if you were planning on making an upcoming Apple purchase. But the right credit card can help you ease the cost through installment plans, 0% intro APR offers or earning rewards on your purchase. You may also qualify for purchase protection or extended warranty coverage . CNBC Select takes a look at the best credit cards for Apple purchases so you can help lower (or cover) the cost of your next laptop or phone purchase. Best credit cards for Apple purchases Best for buying directly from Apple The Apple Card , a favorite for many Apple loyalists, offers excellent cash back earnings on Apple products, along with flexible financing. This no-annual-fee card earns 3% cash back on purchases made directly with Apple and select merchants, including Nike and Walgreens. This means you can quickly cut 3% off the full cost of your iPhone or MacBook if you purchase it directly from Apple. …