Apple has increased prices of all its iPhone models by an average of 3.5%, except for iPhone SE which is assembled in India, after the government increased import duty on mobile phones by 5% last week.
The increase that became effective early morning today has made priciest model like the iPhone X 256 GB dearer by Rs 3,000-3,500, to Rs 1,05,720. The starting prices of iPhone 6 and 6s are now higher by Rs 1500 or so, to Rs 30,780 and Rs 41,550, respectively.
Apple confirmed the change in pricing, adding that new prices will be effective from Monday, and have been changed on its website as well.
The government has increased basic customs duty on all mobile phones being imported into India to 15%, from earlier 10%, last week, while increasing the import duty for other electronic products such as televisions and microwaves.
While the increase is effective on all brands that import phones, Apple was the most effected as it imports about 88% of the phones it sells in India, as per the analysts. Apple assembles the iPhone SE model through contract manufacturer Wistron in Bengaluru, but that’s the only model being made locally.
One of the analysts told ET that with this increase, prices of iPhones in India could well be the highest among several countries in the world. They added that the duty increase should prompt the Cupertino based smartphone maker to assemble more models in India, which it considers as one of its most important markets globally.
Source: ET
