Following a great deal of anticipation and several speculations regarding potential features and pricing, Apple has at last unveiled its highly awaited iPhone 15 series. Contrary to the expectations of many, Apple did not raise the prices of its devices for its worldwide customers this time. However, Indian consumers are witnessing a distinct treatment.
Distorted Indian Pricing
The latest iPhone 15 series, notably the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, offer a plethora of new features and are undeniably top-tier smartphones. However, understanding the rationale behind the pricing of these devices in India is a challenging task.
The iPhone 15 boasts an impressive aesthetic appeal. Apple delved into the intricate material science innovations employed in crafting the new coloured glass and anodized aluminium for the cases. Apart from the visual appeal, the new phones offer a more pleasing tactile experience compared to the previous generation. This is thanks to the slightly curved outer edge, which gives a better grip.
There’s no denying that Apple’s pricing approach for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is perplexing, particularly when you examine the device prices in India and contrast them with those in the United States and other global markets. This pricing strategy becomes even more confounding when you take into consideration the fact that the prices of the non-Pro models, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, remain unchanged from last year’s iPhone 14 non-Pro series.
The iPhone 15 Pro is priced starting at Rs 1,34,900 in India (approximately $1,625), whereas in the US, it retains the same starting price as last year, which is $999 or approximately Rs 82,850. A noteworthy fact is that in India, the introductory price of the base variant of the iPhone 14 Pro was Rs 1,29,900, which is Rs 5,000 less than the current year’s model.
A buyer in India will spend an amount equivalent to $1625 to purchase the iPhone 15 Pro; a buyer in the US can use the same amount to purchase an iPhone 15 Pro alongside their top-of-the-line Apple Watch Ultra 2, with ample funds left over to invest in some high-quality first-party Apple accessories.
Apple appears unable to provide a valid justification for the pricing of the iPhone 15 Pro series in India. While it’s true that India has various taxes and import duties that contribute to the higher cost of tech products, the current pricing seems disproportionately high.
What’s noteworthy is that Apple has recently begun manufacturing a significant portion of the iPhones intended for the Indian market within its local factories. Despite this, the prices of the premium Pro lineup have not seen a decrease, and it’s doubtful that they will experience a price drop even when Apple starts producing the Pro devices in India.
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