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The pause on iPhone tariffs will expire after June. Should you buy it now?

Tariffs are not the only reason iPhone prices are rising very quickly.

James Martin/CNET

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the tariff drama to come into play before buying a new iPhone, you’re probably running out of time. In less than two months, President Donald Trump’s reciprocity tariffs will expire.

Apple has protected China’s triple-digit tariffs on China primarily by transferring U.S. iPhone production to India and putting it on Trump’s exemption list. But experts say that no matter what happens next for tariffs, iPhone prices may be on the way.

“The price of iPhone will increase,” said Patrick Holland, executive editor of CNET. [hike] In 2020. ”

Here’s the truth: if you don’t even realize the price, the price can go up. Most of us use installment plans to buy new phones to reduce the sticker shock of monthly payments.

“Yes, at some stage this could add $50, but over time we’ll spread it,” said Ryan Reith, group vice president of IDC’s global device tracker suite, which includes phones, tablets and wearables.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment from an earlier version of the story.

Trump initially announced “liberation day” tariffs on imports from nearly 180 countries on April 2, but he quickly paused for 90 days after the stock market fell. He has since started negotiating with most countries, but so far there has been only one deal with the UK.

Although the company is rushing to ship products before the tariff deadline, we have seen prices for a wide range of products rise soon after, if you can find them. We are using the tariff pricing tracker to track the actual impact of tariffs on popular technology products.

When tariffs finally appear anywhere, you should now be ready to increase the price of potential prices. We have other options to help you save on iPhone and more.

Read more: Report

How much will the iPhone cost increase after the tariff? We do math

If a 26% rate hike on Apple products produced in India is to a 145% increase in Apple products produced in China, then you can see anywhere if the full cost of the current tariff has been transferred to shoppers. But at present, goods from India have a 10% tariff on China, and iPhones produced in China are still subject to Trump’s 20% “fentanyl tariff” because the country believes that the role of allowing fentanyl to enter the United States. This may affect the price of the iPhone:

How to increase iPhone prices by tariffs?

Current Price Currently 20% “Fentanyl tariff” on Chinese goods Current tariffs on all imported goods Current tariffs
iPhone 15 (128GB) $699 $839 $769
iPhone 15 Plus (128GB) $799 $959 $879
iPhone 16e (128GB) $599 $719 $659
iPhone 16 (128GB) $799 $959 $879
iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) $899 $1,079 $989
iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) $999 $1,199 $1,099
iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) $1,199 $1,439 $1,319
iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) $1,599 $1,919 $1,759

However, the iPhone costs a lot more than simply assembled. Apple’s products come from a wide range of countries that may face higher tariffs after a pause. Tariffs on goods do not necessarily mean that the price will increase by the same amount. If companies want to stay competitive, they can absorb some costs to keep prices down.

“In terms of tariffs, it won’t be as high as 1-to-1,” Rees said. “Mathematics is not as clear as tariffs.”

When will iPhone prices rise?

It is not clear when prices will rise, but if companies sell from equipment produced before the tariff, they may have to increase the price of tariff freight products. But even if Apple can’t completely avoid tariffs, it can offset the impact through its services, including its music, news and data plans.

“Apple will likely absorb some tariff costs ahead of time to keep sticker prices stable, and then gradually pass on its remaining price to consumers through service bundles, equipment life and ecosystem upgrades,” he said. “Consumers will still pay, just once.”

It is unclear how much the tariffs will affect the prices of all smartphones. If prices rise lead to a plunge in demand, experts say Apple and other producers can reduce Their prices remain competitive.

Watch the following: Buy or wait guide: How the tariffs will change technical prices and what to do next

What is the latest tariff?

Trump announced a 10% benchmark tariff on all imported goods and on reciprocal tariffs on imports from more than 180 countries during Liberation Day. He quickly announced a 90-day pause on the countdown tariffs, but would impose a baseline levy.

The tariffs Trump has long touted are a way to even trade deficits and raise incomes to offset tax cuts, although many economists say tariffs could lead to higher prices and could ultimately harm the U.S. economy. Shares plummeted after Trump announced the news as the market was less responsive to the widespread tariffs.

Trump has taken a particularly firm stance on China, which has been subject to tariffs ordered by Trump in his first term in office. He began in February, imposing a 20% tariff, and then in April, 34% tariffs on Chinese goods. He increased the tariff by 50%, and then eventually landed on the 145% tariff on China. After each of Trump’s announcements, China responded with its own tariffs.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection lists some key consumer electronic devices, but Trump said the products will still be subject to 20% fentanyl tariffs. White House officials say the probation on additional tariffs is temporary and these products will be subject to “semiconductor tariffs.”

Some politicians questioned the exemption. Last month, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Cook asking about Apple products being excluded after Trump said there was no exemption from tax exemption.

Even before Trump announced tariffs, Apple’s largest supplier in India issued nearly $2 billion worth of iPhones in March, according to customs records. Apple may report that it may offer iPhones from India to the U.S. market by the end of 2026, though perhaps not all.

In theory, tariffs are intended to affect other countries financially because their goods are being taxed. The tariffs are paid for importing products from U.S. companies, and this UpCharge usually (but not always) transfers it to consumers at a higher price.

Is it better to buy technology now or wait?

If you’ve already planned to buy a new iPhone, gaming console, MacBook or other technology, buying it now may save you money. However, if you don’t need a new phone, the Netherlands recommends waiting.

“If the iPhone price goes up, you know that, like a car, the price of used iPhones can also go up,” he said. “If Apple does raise the price, then when you trade, you may offer more prices for your old iPhone, which should offset the price increase.”

If you don’t have cash on hand and are considering using a credit card or buying it now, pay later to avoid tariffs, make sure you have the money to pay before you start charging interest. With the average interest rate on your credit card currently exceeding 20%, the cost of large purchase financing can quickly eliminate any savings you buy before the price rises due to tariffs.

“If you fund this fee on a credit card and cannot repay it in full within one to two months, you may end up spending more,” said Alaina Fingal, an accountant, founder of Organized Currency and a member of the CNET Currency Review Board. “I recommend you stop at any large purchases until the economy is more stable.”

Even if prices rise, one way to save on Apple products is to buy last year’s model instead of the latest or used one. Those who trade or sell second-hand can help offset the cost more.

“Apple tends toward this situation with a certified renovation program, just like the used car model in the automotive industry,” Hudicaka said. “The program helps extend the life of the device, allowing customers in the Apple ecosystem to spend longer while distributing costs over time.”



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