iPhone Duo costs ₹3 lakh in India: Netizen says fly to US and save ₹30,000; internet debates

However, the price of Apple’s first foldable iPhone in India has left many netizens stunned, with the device starting at ₹2,99,900 for the 256GB model and going up to a 2TB storage option.

Netizen suggests flying to US for cheaper iPhone Duo

As discussions around the phone’s steep Indian price gathered pace online, X user Ishan Sharma suggested an unusual way for Indian buyers to potentially reduce the overall cost — flying to the US, purchasing the phone there and returning to India.

In an X post, Sharma shared a screenshot showing a round-trip flight between Mumbai and New York costing around ₹78,000.

According to his calculation, the US price of the iPhone Duo, combined with the flight expense, could bring the overall cost to around ₹2.70 lakh, potentially leaving a saving of approximately ₹30,000 compared with buying the device in India.

The post was accompanied by images of Apple's clamshell-style foldable phone showcased at the launch event.

US price and sales tax complicate the calculation

The same iPhone Duo reportedly costs around ₹1.90 lakh in the US before applicable taxes.

Sharma's calculation has also drawn attention to states such as Oregon and Delaware, which do not levy a general state sales tax, potentially making them more attractive destinations for buyers looking to purchase expensive electronics.

However, the actual amount a traveller would pay can vary depending on the state of purchase, applicable taxes, travel costs and other expenses.

Internet users question the idea

The suggestion quickly triggered a debate on X, with several users pointing out costs and complications that they felt had not been fully accounted for in the calculation.

One user, Tanish Parsana, commented, “Why is no one considering taxes in this calculation? You still pay tax on the US purchase!”

Another user questioned the practicality of travelling to the US solely to purchase an iPhone, writing, “Dude are you dumb? What about getting US visa? For purchasing an iPhone, really?”

A separate comment raised the issue of customs, asking, “Wouldn't the customs ask to pay tax before they let you out of the port?”

Another X user, Shubhadeep Singha, suggested an alternative, writing, “Or you can book a flight to Dubai and save more.”

Would flying abroad actually save money?

While the viral calculation has sparked an interesting conversation around Apple's pricing in India, the proposed ₹30,000 saving should not be treated as a guaranteed saving.

The final cost can depend on factors including US sales tax, flight fares, visa expenses, accommodation, Indian customs rules and whether the traveller is carrying the device as part of their personal baggage.

The debate nevertheless highlights the significant price gap between Apple's premium devices in India and some overseas markets, while also raising the question of whether consumers would consider international travel to secure a better deal on high-priced smartphones.