iPhone 17 Series: Why Indians pay up to Rs 45,000 more than the US customers? 

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. Pic/Apple

Apple has finally launched their latest flagship series across global markets on September 9 during the ‘Awe Dropping' event at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, California. While Apple revealed some great gadgets, talks about the price difference of the iPhone 17 series in India and the US continues to be the talking point.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, during the launch, announced that the iPhone 17 will start at Rs 82,900 in India; the same will be available in the United States of America at USD 799, which makes its price in the US market approximately Rs 70,344. With a price difference of around Rs 12,000, customers across the globe guess the reason for this significant difference.

However, the price difference in India and the US goes much higher on the flagship Apple devices. The iPhone 17 Pro Max in India comes at a starting price of Rs. 149,900, whereas the price of the same model in the US amounts to approximately Rs. 105,560 (USD 1,199), marking a significant price difference of around Rs. 44,500.

This means that Indian buyers are paying almost 15 per cent to 42 per cent more as compared to the US customers.

The significant price difference of the same iPhone has surely made customers a bit more confused. Considering that the United States of America remains one of the most affordable markets for the iPhones, the difference has surely created curiosity among the customers.

Why is there such a big price gap for the same iPhone?

There has always been a significant price difference on the iPhones in every other country; considering the current prices of the iPhones, the US, the UAE and Singapore are affordable options. However, the reason for the difference is based on several factors.

The major reason why Apple iPhones are costlier in India than in any other prominent country in the world is because of the higher import duties imposed on electronic products in India.

Another major reason for the cost of iPhones is that India imposes a higher tax under the GST slab, iPhones in India fall under the 18 per cent GST slab, which ultimately makes the final price comparatively higher than those in the US and other countries.

Detailed price difference of the recently launched iPhone 17 series:

iPhone 17

• Price in India: Rs. 82,900
• Price in US: Rs. 70,344 (USD 799) approx.
• Difference - Rs. 12,550 approximately

iPhone 17 Pro

• Price in India: Rs. 1,34,900
• Price in US: Rs. 96,756 (USD 1,099) approx.
• Difference - Rs. 38,100 approximately

iPhone 17 Pro Max

• Price in India: Rs. 1,49,900
• Price in US: Rs. 1,05,560 (USD 1,199) approx.
• Difference - Rs. 45,000 approximately

iPhone Air

• Price in India: Rs. 1,19,900
• Price in US: Rs. 87,952 (USD 999) approx.
• Difference - Rs. 32,000 approximately