THE CRUNCH

Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will cost more than their US prices in almost every major market, according to Counterpoint Research. The two models are expected to be the most expensive in Turkey, where they could nearly double the US price due to local taxes. India, Apple’s second-largest manufacturing hub, will see prices that are 30% to 40% higher than in the US, driven by import duties and a weaker rupee.

The UAE remains the second-cheapest market for the new iPhones, thanks to a low value-added tax rate of 5%. In contrast, China and Korea enjoy lower prices because of strong local competition from rivals like Huawei and Samsung.

Even the made-in-India iPhones are largely only assembled locally, with 80% to 82% of components still imported. This heavy import dependence means the Pro models face higher taxes than the base model, though prices may ease as more parts become locally sourced.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

As more components become locally sourced, price increases are likely to become more gradual, though existing models have already seen price hikes.