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Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16 in Indonesia, marking the arrival of the entire lineup that was revealed last fall, including the iPhone 16e. While new iPhones typically reach other markets within 200 days, the Indonesian government required Apple to invest significantly before allowing the introduction of the latest technology to its consumers.
Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, announced the product release via a post on X.
According to a report from Reuters last month, Apple received the green light to sell the iPhone 16 in Indonesia starting April 11, following a hefty investment of $300 million. Ben Lovejoy from 9to5Mac provided a concise recap of the circumstances surrounding the temporary ban on the iPhone 16.
Apple’s initial commitment included a $109 million investment in a developer academy in Indonesia, along with an additional $10 million for manufacturing. However, the Indonesian government claimed Apple did not fulfill this initial promise, citing that the actual expenditure was only $95 million. As a result, the government imposed a ban on the sale and use of the iPhone 16 in the country.
In response to the setbacks, Apple proposed to significantly boost its manufacturing investment in Indonesia from $10 million to $100 million. Nevertheless, the government insisted on an even greater commitment, seeking a staggering $1 billion investment.
Before the ban was enacted in late October, Apple had managed to ship just 9,000 units of the iPhone 16 to Indonesia, a nation with a population exceeding 283 million people. Losing out on five months of potential sales for their flagship device was a significant blow for both Apple and Indonesian consumers. The country also enforces a mandatory registration program for smartphones purchased abroad, further complicating issues for its residents.
In the United States, a different kind of challenge looms: the government has raised tariffs on imports from China to 145%, up from 125% since our previous coverage just yesterday. This change raises questions about the future of iPhone sales in the U.S., leaving many unsure about the implications for the market.
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