Apple launches its first foldable iPhone in India, with prices appearing significantly higher than US figures but aligning closer after factoring in taxes and import duties, highlighting challenges and future prospects for local manufacturing.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone Duo has arrived in India with a price tag that immediately stands out: ₹2,99,900 for the 256GB version, rising to ₹4,49,900 for the 2TB model. At first glance, that makes the handset look far dearer than the $1,999 starting price in the United States. But the gap is narrower than it appears once tax rules, import costs and the device’s manufacturing status are taken into account.
A direct comparison of sticker prices can be misleading because the US figure does not include sales tax. In America, that levy varies by state and can add roughly 6% to 10% to the final bill, according to media reports cited by local business coverage. By contrast, the Indian launch price already includes 18% GST, which means the figure consumers see on the label is not the base cost of the phone.
The bigger factor is that the iPhone Duo is, for now, being sold in India as a fully imported unit rather than a locally assembled product. That matters because Apple has spent years building up iPhone manufacturing in India for other models, helping reduce duties and logistics costs. The foldable device is different: it is Apple’s first in the category, and foldable hardware typically requires more complex engineering, especially around the display, hinge and internal components. Reports say the import duty burden on such a handset can be about 28%.
Once GST is removed and the import duty is stripped out, the Indian launch price comes much closer to the US level. Using the figures cited in the reporting, the ₹2,99,900 Indian price falls to about ₹1,98,557 before duties, which is roughly equivalent to $2,087. That leaves a difference of about $88 versus the US list price, although the real-world gap would still vary depending on supply-chain costs, exchange rates and local tax treatment.
That does not mean the premium will disappear quickly. Analysts quoted in business coverage say future generations could become more competitively priced if Apple shifts production to India, but that would depend on the company and its manufacturing partners scaling up a line that is still at an early stage. For now, the iPhone Duo remains positioned as a luxury product in India, with pre-orders due to begin on 16 October and sales from 23 October.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
