Apple hikes most India iPhone prices after tax hike, with iPhone X topping out at $1,647

Apple has raised the prices of several iPhone models in India, reacting to a recent increase of import taxes on electronics.

On average, prices have risen 3.5 percent, Reuters reported. A 256-gigabyte iPhone 8 is now 79,420 rupees, or about $1,237, while a 256-gigabyte iPhone X is 105,720 rupees — roughly $1,647, which in the U.S. would be almost enough before tax to buy 64-gigabyte models of both the iPhone 8 and X.

The exception to the rule is the iPhone SE, which is assembled in Bangalore by Apple partner Wistron.

Last week the Indian government hiked import taxes on cellphones from 10 to 15 percent, hoping to encourage local manufacturing. While that could have little impact on companies like Samsung, which already rely heavily on local manufacturing, as many as 88 percent of iPhones are believed to be imported.

Even the iPhone SE is well beyond the price range of most Indians. This has translated into Apple holding less than three percent of the marketshare in the country, and Apple keeping models on sale that are considered outdated in other markets.

Apple has been looking to expand local manufacturing, but is requesting tax breaks and other handouts in exchange. The Indian government appears reluctant to concede to demands.

34 Comments

macxpress 16 Years · 5913 comments

About 7 years ago

Here we go with Apple is just trying to grab more and more money out of people again. Don't they already have enough? Is iPhone X really worth the "Apple Tax"?

/s

Soli 9 Years · 9981 comments

Just a few days ago someone was saying India holds all the cards and Apple none, and yet Apple has raised the price of the iPhone X. 🤔

asdasd 21 Years · 5682 comments

Soli said:

Just a few days ago someone was saying India holds all the cards and Apple none, and yet Apple has raised the price of the iPhone X. ߤ䦬t;/div>
Not sure what the proves, either way. They are clearly not happy to reduce their profits per device, so they have increased the retail price in line with the tax.

In terms of growing the market this isnt good news for Apple.

asdasd said:

Soli said:

Just a few days ago someone was saying India holds all the cards and Apple none, and yet Apple has raised the price of the iPhone X. ߤ䦬t;/div>
Not sure what the proves, either way. They are clearly not happy to reduce their profits per device, so they have increased the retail price in line with the tax.

In terms of growing the market this isnt good news for Apple.

It shows that Apple is more concerned about maintaining a profit margin than kowtowing to a particular market. Apple doesn't need India to survive and they're not certainly not at the mercy of the Indian gov't.

Rayz2016 8 Years · 6957 comments

asdasd said:

Soli said:

Just a few days ago someone was saying India holds all the cards and Apple none, and yet Apple has raised the price of the iPhone X. ߤ䦬t;/div>
Not sure what the proves, either way. They are clearly not happy to reduce their profits per device, so they have increased the retail price in line with the tax.

In terms of growing the market this isnt good news for Apple.

Was it you that said it then?