Understanding the Disparity in iPhone Prices: Why Europeans Pay More
Apple is renowned for its premium-priced products, and the recently unveiled iPhone 15 Pro Max is no exception. Priced at a staggering $1,199 in the United States, it raises questions about the cost of the same device in Europe.
For European consumers within the Eurozone, aspiring to own the top-tier iPhone will require a larger financial commitment compared to their American counterparts.
When converted to euros, the base price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max on Apple’s US website equates to approximately €1,131.74. This represents an increase of around 9% compared to the previous year’s model, making it clear that European buyers are paying a premium.
Prices for the same device vary across European countries but generally remain significantly higher than in the United States. In France, the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at €1,479, while in Germany it’s priced at €1,449, and Italian consumers must pay €1,489.
The price disparity is not limited to Apple’s premium offerings; it extends to the more affordable iPhone models as well. In the US, the base iPhone 15 is priced at roughly €754.18 when converted to euros. In contrast, the same device is sold at €969 in France, €949 in Germany, and €979 in Italy.
However, a closer look at these figures reveals a crucial factor. European prices typically include Value Added Tax (VAT), whereas additional fees are applied after the purchase in the United States.
The exact tax rates vary depending on the state in the US but generally fall between 2.9% and 7.25%. For instance, a purchase of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Washington, DC, with a 6% sales tax, would incur an additional charge of $71.94 (€67.90) at the checkout.
buying iPhone X in europe? why not add a free weekend trip to NYC pic.twitter.com/K3IbdF4WNL
— juan (@juanbuis) September 13, 2017
In a location like Los Angeles, where sales tax is notably high, the extra charge would amount to $113.91 (€107.52).
To put it in perspective, a customer in Los Angeles would save approximately €239.74 when purchasing Apple’s most expensive phone compared to a customer in France.
This pricing gap between the US and the EU is not unique to Apple’s latest generation of products. Back in 2017, during the launch of the iPhone X, there were jokes on Twitter about it being more cost-effective to fly to the US to buy the device.
However, the reality is more complex. Travelers returning to the EU with valuable items are legally obligated to pay customs duties. For air and sea travelers, goods exceeding €430 must be declared, while other modes of transport have a €300 threshold. Consequently, flying back from the US to France with an iPhone 15 Pro Max would result in customs duties of over €200, in addition to travel expenses, making it an impractical money-saving strategy.
The rationale behind Apple’s higher pricing in Europe remains somewhat unclear. In 2016, the company stated that international product prices were determined by various factors, including currency exchange rates, local import laws, business practices, taxes, and operating costs. These variables can vary significantly across regions and evolve over time, making international prices not directly comparable to US suggested retail prices.
Despite the higher prices, Apple’s popularity in Europe remains robust, with iPhones accounting for roughly a quarter of smartphone sales in the EU, second only to Samsung models. As inflation rates persist in Europe, it remains to be seen how consumers will respond to Apple’s new product range, given their historically strong brand loyalty.
On a global scale, investment firm Wedbush reported that pre-orders for the iPhone 15 series exceeded expectations by 10% to 12%, potentially leading to shortages of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
