Now, the first common question among Indian users is, “Why are iPhone prices so high in India even though they are Made-in-India?”.

Apple has been marketing their Make-in-India program for the better part of the decade. The company has been manufacturing iPhones in India since 2017. As of today, India contributes to 7% of the total iPhone production in the world.

Here’s the catch; Apple only manufactures regular models, like the latest iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and so on. As per Counterpoint Research, the Pro model iPhones are exclusively made in China. Hence, Apple has to import the iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max from China to India.

The Government of India levies a 20% import duty on fully manufactured phones. Hence, when Apple imports the iPhone Pro models to India, the prices are already raised by 20% by default. On top of this, iPhones are also charged 18% GST, which is included in the MRP of the phone.

 

This means that the Pro Model iPhones are already 38% more expensive in India, as compared to global prices. Abhilash Kumar, Industry Analyst said that Apple is also fighting against the depreciating value of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar, causing it to keep a buffer margin on its product pricing in India.