14 DAY TRIAL // Over the past few years, Apple refrained from selling iPhones in Argentina, because of regulatory hurdles for device imports. Back in 2009, the Argentinian President at the time put in place a number of regulations that prevented companies like Apple from selling products in the country.
The regulation affected all major companies and required tech giants to assemble devices in Argentina if they wished to sell them in the country. Some companies, including Samsung, abided by the rules and set up plants in the country, so they could make Argentinians their customers.
A report by Bloomberg reveals that the Argentinian government intends to lift the restrictions and thus allow companies like Apple to import and sell iPhones created in other countries. However, the Cupertino company could face a hefty import tax that would make iPhones sold in Argentina at least 25% more expensive than smartphones assembled in the country.
iPhone prices in Argentina could be double the ones in the US
But one Apple reseller in the country believes that iPhones could cost even more. Hector Goldin is already receiving pre-orders for the five iPhone models that he intends to sell at his location starting April 7. Prices of the phones haven’t been set, but Goldin believes that they could reach double the price in the US and 40% higher than in the neighboring country of Chile. In the past, iPads sold for three times as much in Argentina than in the US.
Despite the high price, local carriers will still be offering the phones to customers, providing monthly installment plans to make them more accessible to people in Argentina. Before restrictions were lifted, Argentinians bought iPhones from resellers and third-party retailers, or purchased them during trips abroad.
Starting next month, Apple could potentially sell the latest iPhone SE with 128GB of storage, red variants of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, as well as the new 9.7-inch iPad.