Infographics
We have two infographics for the above data: World and Europe.
Least affordable: Myanmar
Perhaps surprisingly, Myanmar is the least affordable country in the world to purchase an iPhone 15.
A declining median salary due to political instability, together with high import taxes and a diminishing currency, means an average Burmese citizen needs to spend a whopping 89.97% of their yearly salary to purchase the base model iPhone 15.
Most affordable: Luxembourg
For the second year in a row, Luxembourg is the most affordable country in the world to purchase the latest iPhone.
With one of the highest median salaries in the world, coupled with a relatively low tax rate, it should come at no surprise that a Luxembourger only needs to dish out 1.55% of their yearly salary to get their hands on an iPhone 15.
Most expensive: Argentina
Last year, we left Argentina out of the iPhone 14 index, as extreme hyperinflation made it incredibly ambiguous to work out the true value of the Argentine Peso.
However, after listening to feedback, we’ve included Argentina this year, using the informal ‘Blue Dollar’ rate.
We’ve concluded that Argentina is the most expensive country in the world to purchase an iPhone 15, coming in at a whopping $2,048.27 after taxes - but by the time we’ve written this paragraph, the price has probably doubled! (We’re being hyperbolic, of course…probably.)
With all being said, Argentina is still only the 18th least affordable country to purchase an iPhone 15, upheld by a relatively decent median salary compared to poorer developing countries.
Least expensive: China
Japan has just about lost its crown to China as the least expensive country to purchase the latest iPhone, dropping to second place.
The entry level iPhone 15 in China only costs $825.19 after taxes. Given that the majority of iPhones are made in China itself, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, since there are no domestic import / export taxes for consumers to bear.
India vs Pakistan disparity
Although India and Pakistan have fairly similar median salaries with comparable standards of living, the two South Asian giants tell a different story when it comes to the affordability of the latest iPhone 15.
Pakistan is the 2nd least affordable country in the world to purchase an iPhone 15, with the average citizen needing to pay 65.94% of their yearly salary to get their hands on Apple’s newest device.
On the other hand, albeit still very high, an average Indian needs to spend 38.60% of their yearly salary for the iPhone 15.
There are several reasons that can explain the disparity, despite the similar salary and same geographic location.
The most prominent reason is that the iPhone 15 will be made in India itself, and sold directly by Apple. The Californian company has bet on India as the next manufacturing giant after China, and has opened 2 official Apple stores in the last couple of years, with more planned.
On the other hand, Apple’s presence in Pakistan is only through authorised Apple resellers, who have to rely on extremely high import taxes, particularly for high-end technology goods such as the iPhone 15. Additional logistic costs also need to be considered.
Furthermore, a weaker Pakistani Rupee compared to the Indian Rupee has had a particular negative effect on the affordability of tech products.
Nevertheless, the iPhone 15 is still far too expensive for an average citizen of either country to afford. iOS has roughly a 4% market share in each country, with Indians and Pakistanis opting for cheaper Android alternatives instead. However, Apple's market share is slowing growing in both countries, with India pulling ahead.
Compare the cheapest iPhone 15 deals
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We compare the cheapest iPhone 15 deals, starting from free upfront.
Following in the footsteps of the iPhone 14, the iPhone 15 remains one of the best selling phones in the UK.