Apple Inc’s flagship product, the iPhone, could see retail prices soar by up to 43 per cent following a fresh wave of tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump on Chinese imports, analysts warned on Thursday.
The United States recently slapped a 54pc tariff on goods imported from China as part of a broader trade offensive. The move threatens to disrupt global supply chains, and consumer electronics are expected to be among the most severely affected sectors. Apple, which manufactures most of its iPhones in China, is now confronted with a difficult choice: absorb the additional costs or pass them on to consumers.
According to projections by Rosenblatt Securities, should the tech giant decide to transfer the full cost burden, the prices of its devices could rise sharply. The iPhone 16 Pro Max — currently priced at $1,599 — could retail for as much as $2,300 in the US under the new tariff regime. Similarly, the base iPhone 16, which was launched at $799, may jump to nearly $1,142, while the entry-level iPhone 16e, introduced in February at $599, could climb to $856.
Apple’s stock reflected investor concerns, tumbling 9.3pc on Thursday — its steepest decline since March 2020 — following news of the tariffs. The company sells over 220 million iPhones annually, with its largest markets being the US, China and Europe.
The Trump administration had previously imposed similar levies during his first term, aimed at pressuring American companies to relocate manufacturing from China to the United States or allied nations such as Mexico. At that time, Apple managed to secure waivers for several of its products, shielding them from the impact. However, this time around, no exemptions have been granted as yet.
Analysts note that if the tariffs remain in place, they could significantly erode consumer demand for high-end devices amid ongoing inflationary pressures in the US economy.
While Apple has not issued an official response, experts suggest the company may consider diversifying its manufacturing base to countries such as India or Vietnam in order to mitigate future disruptions.
The impact of the tariffs is likely to ripple beyond iPhones, with other Apple products, including iPads, MacBooks and accessories, also expected to witness potential price hikes.
The development has reignited concerns about the fragility of global supply chains and the long-term implications of escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Current iPhone 16 Prices in Pakistan:
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB – Rs. 715,499
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro 1TB – Rs. 674,499
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB – Rs. 634,499
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro 512GB – Rs. 593,499
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – Rs. 565,999
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max – Rs. 554,499
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro – Rs. 518,999
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro 256GB – Rs. 511,499
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max – Rs. 474,999
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro – Rs. 472,499
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus 256GB – Rs. 459,499
- Apple iPhone 14 Plus – Rs. 422,999
