How Much Is an iPhone 12 Across The World?

Why do we do a world iPhone price index?

Since the first iPhone was launched in 2007, it has become one of the most purchased products throughout the world. Even if the competition on the smartphones market is getting always stronger, the iPhone price remains in 2021 a very reliable indicator for what concerns the cost of tech products in the different parts of the world.

Top 3 countries where the iPhone 12 is the most expansive

The top 3 countries where the iPhone 12 is the cheapest

The world iPhone 12 price index ranking

Rank	Countries	Price (€)
1	Japan	806
2	United States	847
3	United Arab Emirates	894
4	Malaysia	933
5	Singapore	951
6	Canada	967
7	South Korea	973
8	Thailand	976
9	Switzerland	980
10	Philippines	999
11	Australia	1004
12	Russie	1036
13	Luxembourg	1043
14	United Kingdom	1051
15	India	1056
16	New Zealand	1056
17	Austria	1069
18	Germany	1069
19	Sri Lanka	1075
20	Belgium	1079
21	France	1079
22	Spain	1079
23	Ireland	1081
24	China	1082
25	Netherlands	1082
26	Poland	1088
27	Mexico	1098
28	Finland	1099
29	Portugal	1099
30	Italy	1109
31	Czechia	1124
32	Denmark	1129
33	Norway	1145
34	Hungary	1155
35	Sweden	1192
36	Turkey	1378
37	Brazil	1450
38	South Africa	1525

Is it interesting for Europeans to buy an iPhone in the US?

If you take the numbers strictly as we put them on the map, a Swedish costumer has to pay 1 192€ more than an American to purchase an iPhone 12 (256GB) - which is a lot. But things are not totally the way they seem to be. First of all, one has to bear in mind that in Europe, all the countries include a national VAT in their prices. In the US, this is different, for every State has its own sales tax rate - which is therefore not reported on the displayed price. For example, this tax is 8,875% in New York City, that you will have to add to the original price.

However, if you really wish to purchase your iPhone into the US, you basically have two options:

• You travel to the US, and take back your iPhone home. In that case, you may be refunded at the airport of the sales tax of the State in which you bought your phone. However, you have to take into account the price of your ticket, as well as a possible VAT that you will hay to pay upon arrival into Europe (20% in Ireland for example)
• You buy your iPhone on the internet, and ship it home through a transport company such as DHL or UPS. In that case, you have to consider the shipping costs - that can be high, but also the VAT that is likely to be collected by the customs of your country (just like when you travel yourself with your device).

As you see, defining if buying an iPhone in the US for a European customer is interesting is a tricky calculation. In the end, the benefit is not so obvious as it may seem at first considering the numbers.

The reconciliation between Apple and the European justice

In 2016, the European justice summoned Apple to refund 13 billions euros to Ireland. This amount represents all taxes that the multinational has not paid because of the attractive taxation in Ireland.

The European commission finally decided to drop the case in July 2020. This verdict is a relief for both Ireland and Apple who had appealed the judgment. Indeed, Ireland who is positioned as a "pro business" country, applies this attractive taxation for all multinationals present on the isle.