Technology
iPhone 18 Pro Series Priced Lower Than India in US, Japan, Gulf Nations
Apple has launched its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max globally, with pricing varying widely across countries due to differences in local taxes, import duties and currency conversion rates. According to current global pricing data, several countries offer these flagship models at a lower cost than India. For the iPhone 18 Pro, the United States offers the biggest savings compared to Indian pricing, followed by Japan on the same configuration. Saudi Arabia and the UAE also offer notable discounts. A similar pattern holds for the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max, with the US again leading in savings, followed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Singapore and Canada also offer the Pro Max at prices lower than in India. Industry observations suggest that the price gap stems largely from how different countries structure taxes and import duties on smartphones, with markets like the US and Japan generally imposing lower taxes that translate into cheaper retail prices. In terms of specifications, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max introduce several changes to Apple's flagship lineup this year. Both models are powered by the new A20 Pro chip, which Apple describes as its most capable iPhone processor yet, offering up to 40 percent better sustained performance than previous generations. The chip includes a six-core CPU and a 7-core GPU, with each GPU core featuring dedicated neural accelerators for enhanced AI processing. The iPhone 18 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology up to 120Hz, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max has a larger 6.9-inch display with the same specifications. Both displays are protected by Ceramic Shield 2. Apple has returned to a single-tone colour scheme for both Pro models this year, moving away from the previous two-tone design, while retaining the full-width camera plateau on the back. Both models also introduce a next-generation vapour chamber cooling system, the largest yet in Apple's flagship lineup, intended to sustain performance during demanding tasks such as gaming or heavy multitasking. On the camera front, both phones feature a triple rear camera system comprising a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide lens and a 48MP telephoto lens. For the first time, the main camera includes variable aperture technology, giving users greater control over photos and videos. Both devices run iOS 27 out of the box, featuring a refined Liquid Glass interface and a range of Apple Intelligence features. In India, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 for the base 256GB variant, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900 for the same storage option. Both models are available in Black, Silver, Glacier and Burgundy colour options.