Should Indians consider buying the iPhone 16 series from US or UAE?

In the burgeoning kingdom of smartphones, iPhones have long been considered the gold standard. But for several potential buyers in India, the temptation to buy these coveted devices abroad, often touted as cheaper, raises a significant question.

Is it financially advantageous for Indians to buy different iPhone models abroad? But it is not sufficient to address this question through a simple yes or no. The result hinges on the specific iPhone model the buyers have their eyes on.

Different features of iPhone 16 series unveiled Monday

In a special event on September 9 in Cupertino, California, the latest iPhone 16 series has been unveiled to the public. The lineup has received several upgrades, including a camera control feature that enables users to adjust settings by sliding a finger on the screen.

The button is useful in other cases, too – a single click opens the camera, a second click captures the photo, and holding it can start recording a video. There is also support for advanced touch gestures in the camera control.

Through the latest launch, the company has also introduced the action button to the standard non-Pro iPhone models, letting users quickly access features such as recording voice memos, identifying songs or translating phrases.

Should Indians consider buying iPhone 16 series from abroad?

iPhone 16 series prices in India

iPhone 16: starts at Rs 79,900

iPhone 16 Plus: starts at Rs 89,900

iPhone 16 Pro: starts at Rs 1,19,900

iPhone 16 Pro Max: starts at Rs 1,44,900

iPhone 16 series prices in US

iPhone 16: starts at $799 (Rs 67,000)

iPhone 16 Plus: starts at $899 (Rs 75,500)

iPhone 16 Pro: starts at $999 (Rs 83,870)

iPhone 16 Pro Max: starts at $1,199 (Rs 1,00,000)

iPhone 16 series prices in UAE

iPhone 16: starts at Dh3,399 (Rs 77,700)

iPhone 16 Plus: starts at Dh3,799 (Rs 86,850)

iPhone 16 Pro: starts at Dh4,299 (Rs 98,300)

iPhone 16 Pro Max: starts at Dh5,099 (Rs 1,16,500)

In a nutshell

The price disparity is more pronounced among the Pro models. Huge potential savings can be reaped by purchasing these models abroad. But the story changes if Indians plan to buy the non-Pro iPhone 16 models from abroad as the price difference is not substantial.

Moreover, if the price history of recent iPhone models are taken into consideration, these devices often experience a significant price drop after some months of their initial launch, typically during the festive season sales.

In conclusion, there is no doubt about the fact that buying iPhones abroad can indeed lead to sizeable savings for certain models, it is important to compare the cost differences against local discounts and potential future price drops.