Why are 'Japanese iPhones' always cheaper?

Despite geopolitical fluctuations and exchange rates, iPhones in Japan remain among the cheapest in the world.

iPhone 17 series at an Apple Store in Japan. Photo: K-tao .

Recently, the ICT Research Institute of Japan published a report comparing smartphone prices in Japan to those of the world's 20 largest economies . The results showed that iPhone prices in Japan are on average 20% lower. The same trend was observed with tablets and Android phones.

The research was conducted amidst geopolitical tensions, rising raw material and transportation costs impacting end products and causing consumer dissatisfaction. However, these issues do not appear to have affected the Japanese market.

Specifically, a report from the Japan ICT Research Institute shows that the iPhone 17 is selling in Japan for around 129,000 yen, about 20.5% lower than the G20 average. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 in Japan costs 114,800 yen, 19.7% lower than the average. Samsung, Oppo, and Xiaomi phones in the Japanese market are also 10-20% cheaper than internationally, depending on the model. In summary, 100% of the phones included in the study are priced below the G20 average.

Comparison table of phone prices in Japan (purple) and G20 countries (white). Photo: Japan ICT Research Institute.

"The impact of tariffs from the Trump administration continues to attract attention. Smartphone and tablet prices at the time of the survey tended to be slightly higher than before. But overall, the fact that Japan has cheaper phones than other countries remains unchanged," concluded the Japan ICT Research Institute.

According to trinity.jp, maintaining low prices may be part of Apple's long-term plan. This is one of the first international markets where Apple distributed iPhones. At the same time, Apple's market share here is significantly higher than the average, ranging from 50-70% depending on the period, even higher than the company's home market in the US.

In addition, import taxes on electronic goods in this country are set significantly lower than those in China and Europe.

In Japan, the distribution system, which relies on mobile carriers, also helps lower product prices. Instead of Apple Stores or large supermarkets, Japanese people buy mobile phones through carriers. The price of the product when it reaches the customer is almost zero. Users pay for the network plan monthly, like a form of installment payment. In return, the price of mobile phones and integrated service plans in this country is complained about by users as being too expensive compared to their income.

"The low prices of Apple products purchased in Japan have long been known. And that hasn't changed even now, with the yen weakening. When I work overseas and temporarily return home, people often ask me to buy them an iPhone. They're released early in Japan and are cheaper," one user commented on social media.

Source: https://znews.vn/tai-sao-iphone-nhat-luon-re-post1596936.html