Following the launch of its latest offerings, Apple has recalibrated its pricing strategy in India. In contrast to previous years, when older iPhone models typically saw price reductions, Apple has raised prices for several older models still available for purchase. Moreover, new products are priced markedly differently across global markets, with India seeing significantly higher price increases compared to the U.S. market. Notably, the foldable iPhone Duo carries a staggering premium of up to 57% in India.

Despite India’s status as one of Apple’s fastest-growing overseas markets and its role in producing a quarter of the world’s iPhones, localized manufacturing has failed to translate into lower retail prices. Instead, prices in India remain consistently higher than those in the U.S., sparking widespread criticism from Indian consumers. This backlash poses a challenge to Apple’s expansion strategy in the country.

Analysts suggest that Apple’s pricing approach may stem from a combination of factors, including import taxes, distribution channel costs, and brand positioning. By defying the general trend of declining production costs, Apple is putting Indian consumers’ willingness to pay premium prices for high-end smartphones to the test.