Trump tariffs: Will iPhones get cheaper? Or will you have to pay more?

iPhones may get even more expensive in India, and this time it’s not just because of Apple’s usual price hikes.US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on imports from several countries, including China—where most iPhones are still made. And if Apple decides to pass on the added cost to customers, we can expect a steep 30% to 40% increase in prices.

That could push the price of the iPhone 16, which starts at $799 in the US, up to around $1,142. When you factor in India’s own taxes and import duties, the final price could well cross Rs 2 lakh for the higher-end models.

Take the iPhone 16 Pro Max for example—Apple’s premium model with a 6.9-inch screen and 1TB storage. It currently sells in the U.S. for $1,599, but with the new tariffs, that could jump to nearly $2,300. That would make it far more expensive than it already is in India.

Trump’s aim with the tariffs is to encourage American companies to bring manufacturing back home or to nearby countries like Mexico. But the problem is that Apple still relies heavily on China. Even Vietnam and India, where some production has moved, are not exempt—Vietnam faces a 46% tariff, and India a 26% one.