Has Apple just saved iPhones from extreme tariff price increases?

Apple’s stock iPhones, which could transfer assembly of U.S. phones to India, many of its devices are currently not subject to Chinese reciprocity tariffs. So does this mean that the iPhone price will not rise?

Experts say don’t make bets. The price of iPhone may rise and may already have it, and you don’t realize it.

“[A price increase is] Ryan Reith, group vice president of IDC’s global device tracker suite, said that it includes phones, tablets and wearables. “Yes, it might be $50 at some stage, but we’ll get over time, and it’s a monthly allocation plan over time.”

It has been less than a month since Donald Trump announced the “Liberation Day” tariffs, launching a roller coaster to promote and suspend import duties in nearly 100 countries. This includes the Chinese triple-digit tax that Apple currently produces most of its products.

Even before Trump announced tariffs, Apple’s largest supplier in India issued nearly $2 billion worth of iPhones in March, according to customs records.

Trump eventually exempted reciprocal tariffs on smartphones and some other electronic products, levied a 20% tariff on goods shipped from China. Some politicians have questioned the exemption, and this week Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to Apple CEO Tim Cook asking Apple products were excluded after Trump said there would be no tax exemption.

Most importantly, by the end of 2026, Apple may report from India to the U.S. market. India is one of the Indias temporarily rejected from its 26% reciprocity tariff, but still imposes a 10% tariff on all imported goods. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that he hopes India will be the first to obtain a tariff deal, according to the New York Post.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

No matter where the tariffs end up, you should prepare for potential price increases in electronics. We have other options to help you save on this (including iPhone).

How much can the tariffs on iPhone prices increase? We do math

If the full cost of the current tariff has been transferred to shoppers, we can see the 26% further out of the 26% of the products made in India, the 145% increase in the products made in China. But for the moment, tariffs on goods tariffs from India and tariffs on Chinese-made iPhones are still subject to Trump’s 20% “fentanyl tariff” because of the country’s role in allowing fentanyl to enter the United States. This may affect the price of the iPhone:

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 prices will rise 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 can we see prices rise?

It is not clear when prices will rise, but if the equipment produced by the company before the tariff is sold, it may have to raise the price of the tariff freight product. 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

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What’s wrong with the tariffs?

Trump announced a 10% benchmark tariff on all imported goods and on April 2 reciprocal tariffs from more than 180 countries, which he called “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 with a 20% tariff and then announced a 34% tariff on Chinese goods earlier this month. He increased the tariff by 50%, and then eventually landed on the 145% tariff on China. After each Trump announcement, China responded with its own tariffs.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection lists some key consumer electronics products that do not accept reciprocity tariffs this month, but Trump said those 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.”

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.

Should you buy technology now to avoid tariffs later?

If you’ve already planned to buy a new iPhone, gaming console, MacBook or other technology, buying it now may save you money.

But if you don’t have cash on hand and need to use a credit card or buy it right away, pay later to avoid tariffs, experts say to make sure you have the money to pay before you can start generating 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 be fully paid in 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.”