If you think iPhones are expensive in the United States, you may be shocked to see some of the international iPhone prices Apple charges around the world. The same 256GB iPhone 17 Pro that costs $1,099 in America would cost more than twice as much in Turkey ($2,366) and Brazil ($2,285), according to Apple Price Compare. Several European countries also have significantly higher prices than the United States, ranging from the United Kingdom, at $1,474, to Hungary, at $1,772. Japan ($1,131) and Canada ($1,162) have the prices closest to the US market. Similar price differences appear between iPhone models sold by Apple, including older versions of the iPhone 16, the more affordable iPhone 17e, and the standard iPhone 17 ($799 in the US). The reason Apple charges more for the same iPhone in different markets is complex. For example, the company must consider its target margins and the exchange rate when pricing its iPhones internationally. Other factors, like tariffs, can also affect prices. Finally, there is an important difference between how prices of goods are displayed in the United States and in international markets: value-added tax (VAT).
The $1,099 and $799 examples above are the announced prices for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 in the US, respectively. However, that’s not what consumers pay in most states because the price doesn’t include sales tax. In comparison, many international markets show the full price the buyer would pay. The tax is not uniform across the world, as each country may charge a different sales tax. Even the European Union, which includes 27 countries, doesn’t have a uniform VAT structure, which is part of the reason why iPhone prices can vary slightly between EU members.
iPhone 18 will lead to more price hikes
Taxation may be the simplest way to explain the gap between the U.S. and international markets, but it is not the only factor. With each generation of iPhone, Apple attempts to protect or increase its profits without increasing list prices. This balance is visible in the United States, where Apple has kept the entry price of the base iPhone at the announced price of $799 for the standard iPhone 17. This is the same baseline as all iPhone models sold in the United States since the iPhone 12 launched in 2020. The actual price of all of these standard iPhone variants is $829 when purchased without a carrier activation discount.
However, Apple has increased the price of some iPhones. The $699 iPhone mini model has been replaced by the iPhone Plus, which Apple sells for $899. Apple later discontinued the Plus series and replaced it with the iPhone Air, which starts at $999. In 2023, Apple removed the 128GB storage tier from the iPhone 15 Pro Max model, but did not change the price of the 256GB version ($1,199). Apple repeated the pricing strategy with the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025, removing the 128GB option but keeping the 256GB price at $1,099.
Even so, the iPhone 18 series is expected to lead to a price hike. Apple CEO Tim Cook said Apple products would be more expensive to account for the current memory shortage. Cook didn’t specifically mention the iPhone 18, but Apple wouldn’t be the first smartphone vendor to raise prices in 2026. Rumors also say that the standard iPhone 18 model won’t launch until March 2027. The fall 2026 lineup would only feature premium models, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone. All of these trends are driving up the average purchase price of an iPhone.
Should you buy an iPhone in the US to save money?
While it’s unclear how much the iPhone 18 models will increase, any price increases in the United States would likely be reflected in international markets. In addition to value-added tax and Apple’s margin targets, the exchange rate also needs to be taken into account. For example, Apple increased the prices of many iPhone 14 models sold in Europe in 2022 in response to the weak euro. A year later, Apple adjusted prices downward for the European market. Over the two years, iPhone prices in the United States remained unchanged.
With these considerations in mind, iPhone fans traveling to the United States from other countries may be looking for a better deal than the deals available in their country. They may want to buy a more expensive Pro model or get more storage than in their home market. It’s possible, but there are important caveats. iPhones sold in the United States should work internationally, but buyers should be aware of a few key issues. First, since current US iPhone models are eSIM only, buyers should make sure their mobile carrier supports eSIM connectivity. Additionally, iPhone purchases in the United States may be subject to import taxes when returning to their country of origin.
Most importantly, buyers should keep one key warranty detail in mind. Apple offers US buyers one year of limited warranty, while other regions can get up to two years of coverage. However, the warranty may only apply to the region in which the iPhone was originally sold. International buyers may not receive free repairs or other services that apply under the standard warranty in their home country, as Apple may not fully honor international purchases. That said, international buyers can still access repairs and services, but they may have to pay specific fees.
