Apple iPhone prices in India hiked; Check new rates

Apple iPhones have become more expensive in India in the wake of changes made to import duties in the Union Budget 2020. Apple Inc. on Monday announced the rate hike after which some of its popular models like the iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 8 and few others have become costlier. However, some other devices that are assembled in India will continue to sell at the earlier price.

After the development, the iPhone 11 Pro Max will start selling at a price of Rs 1,11,200 for the 64 GB variant, while the 256 GB version will cost Rs 1,25,200. The 512 GB storage variant of the phone will retail for Rs 1,43,200. Earlier, the iPhone Pro Max price in India was Rs 1,09,000.

Apple iPhone 11 Pro will now cost Rs 1,01,200 for the 64GB storage variant while the 256 GB storage variant of the phone will now cost Rs 1,15,200 and the 512 GB will retail for Rs 1,33,200. Prices of iPhone 11 Pro series have been raised by Rs 1,300. 64 GB variant of iPhone 8 Plus now priced at Rs 50,600, and the 128 GB at Rs 55,600.

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The products that continue to sell at the same price are iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 7, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac laptops. The company assembles iPhone XR and iPhone 7 in India. The other products are imported from China.

Mobile phones were earlier exempted from 10% service welfare cess but it will now be re-imposed on imported handsets over and above existing 20% basic customs duty in India. The government has increased the import duty on PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) from 10% to 20% and chargers from 15% to 20%.

The other major challenge faced by the company right now is the coronavirus outbreak which could further impact the smartphone prices. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted in an interview that Apple is handling the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak quite well, and hinted that its supply chain would be coming back to normal, sooner rather than later.