Why Buying the New iPhone 18 Pro Costs 40% More Outside the U.S.

Apple’s annual iPhone unveilings command a truly global audience, yet the best retail deals remain strictly anchored to the United States. According to new data from market intelligence firm Counterpoint Research, consumers outside the U.S. will face a steep financial premium for the newly launched iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

While the U.S. market continues to enjoy the lowest hardware costs in the world, international buyers are absorbing significant markups. Turkey claims the dubious honor of the most expensive market, where local taxes push retail prices to nearly double the U.S. baseline. Meanwhile, in India—Apple’s fourth-largest market and second-largest manufacturing hub—prices outpace U.S. rates by 30% to 40%.

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The persistent pricing gulf exists despite Apple’s aggressive push to diversify its supply chain away from China. India now accounts for roughly a quarter of total global iPhone production, but high retail costs persist because initial units still face steep import friction. According to Counterpoint director Tarun Pathak, imported units face heavy import duties alongside a goods and services tax (GST) and a weaker local currency.

Furthermore, while India assembles a growing share of devices, only 18% to 20% of electronic components originate domestically. Heavy reliance on imported parts—especially for advanced Pro models—keeps production overhead high. By contrast, markets like the UAE benefit from low 5% value-added taxes, while China and South Korea lean on fierce domestic competition from local heavyweights like Huawei and Samsung to keep consumer pricing somewhat more grounded.

Source: Original Coverage