Apple’s much-anticipated “Wonderlust” launch event has revealed the iPhone 15 series, set to hit the markets on September 22. However, notable price differences have emerged among regions like India, the US, and Hong Kong, particularly affecting the high-end Pro models, which are now pricier in India compared to their predecessors.
Contrary to speculations, Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 15 Pro’s price remains unchanged in the US. Yet, in India, the cost has increased by Rs 5,000, and the Pro Max model has seen a whopping hike of Rs 20,000. While the base variant of the iPhone 15 Pro Max has experienced an increment, it now boasts double the storage capacity, making it the most expensive iPhone ever launched by Apple, with the 1 TB variant priced at nearly Rs 200,000.
Shifting focus to the iPhone 15 series, the base models and the iPhone 15 Plus are reasonably priced, aligning closely with global markets, especially considering the Rs 5,000 discount available to HDFC cardholders. Despite being over 20 percent more affordable in the US, auxiliary benefits such as bank discounts and exchange offers nearly bridge the pricing gap.
The iPhone 15 Pro series paints a different financial picture. In India, the new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models command the highest prices worldwide. Surprisingly, one could travel to Dubai or Vietnam and acquire an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max for less than the Indian retail cost.
Unquestionably, the US stands as the most budget-friendly destination to purchase an iPhone 15 series, even post-sales tax. Following closely behind are Canada and Japan. Even after factoring an average sales tax ranging between 8.5 to 13 percent in the US, obtaining an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max in the US is projected to be at least 25 percent more economical compared to India. However, it’s noteworthy that iPhones purchased in the US will solely support eSIM, omitting the traditional physical SIM card slot. Given that major Indian telcos like Jio, Airtel, and Vi offer eSIM cards, this may not present a significant inconvenience
A distinctive feature of buying an Apple product outside India is the inclusion of a full international warranty, ensuring hassle-free repairs for foreign-bought iPhone 15 units. Additionally, prices for the new iPhone 15 Pro series are notably lower in Dubai, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. In Hong Kong, the iPhone 15 Pro is priced at around Rs 91,000, presenting a nearly Rs 35,000 saving compared to the Indian market.