Despite the iPhone 16 range being priced far higher than in the West, consumers in Russia are keen to secure the latest model of iPhone, with preorders up 15% year-on-year.
Moscow at night [Evgenit/Pixabay]
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are now available, and consumers around the world are checking out Apple's latest smartphone creations. While demand is believed to be high in general for the iPhone 16 generation, it appears that demand in Russia continues to be strong despite a massive pricing disparity.
According to a retailer speaking to Reuters on Friday, demand for the iPhone 16 continues to be significant. Preorders for the iPhone 16 generation were apparently 15% higher than the iPhone 15 counterparts, a spokesperson for electronics retailer Restore advised.
This, despite the pricing of iPhones in the territory being considerably more expensive than prices in the United States.
iPhone 16
The sales in Russia are more challenging to make than in the West. This mostly down to Apple ceasing sales in Russia since March 2022, prompted by the invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the withdrawal of Apple from Russia, iPhones are still being imported into the country without Apple's involvement. With the authorization of "parallel" imports in Russia without requiring permission from manufacturers, retailers have been importing units from other countries.
Shipments of iPhones are secured in Turkey, China, India, and other former Soviet states that have not placed sanctions against Moscow, which are then imported to Russia.
This permitted grey market activity has a byproduct on the price. With iPhones sold in Russia for at least 50% more than Western retailers, this is another obstacle to consumers buying the models, yet the sales continue.
The 128GB iPhone 16 starts at 112,999 roubles ($1,225), over $400 more than the $799 U.S. pricing. Meanwhile the iPhone 16 Pro Max with 1TB of storage can cost Russian consumers 249,999 roubles ($2,710), versus the U.S. price of just $1,599.
Aside from iPhone import issues, users in Russia have had a hard time using their devices after Apple pulled out of the country. Apple has also pulled payment facilities using Apple Pay, as well as banking apps and other software from the App Store.
At the same time, the Russian government has gone after Apple in various ways, including accusations it is helping the U.S. spy on the country's users. The fears are supposedly great enough that the Russian Federal Security Service ordered thousands of officials to stop using iPhones and Apple products.