Apple's Rs 2.99 Lakh iPhone Duo Costs Nearly Rs 1.1 Lakh More in India

Apple's first foldable iPhone is finally here, but Indian buyers are going to have to spend considerably more than customers in the US.

The iPhone Duo starts at Rs 2,99,900 in India for the 256GB model. In the US, the same base configuration starts at $1,999. That already makes the Duo one of Apple's most expensive iPhones, but the difference becomes even more striking once the two prices are compared directly.

iPhone Duo India Price vs US Price

At the current exchange rate, Apple's $1,999 US price converts to roughly Rs 1.90 lakh. That leaves a difference of around Rs 1.10 lakh between a straight conversion of the US price and what Apple is charging for the iPhone Duo in India.

That works out to a difference of roughly 58% compared with a direct conversion of the US price.

There is an important catch with that comparison, though. Apple's US prices are listed before state sales tax, which varies depending on where the phone is purchased. The Rs 2,99,900 India price, meanwhile, already includes applicable taxes.

So, the full Rs 1.10 lakh difference should not be treated as the exact amount someone would save by buying an iPhone Duo in the US. The final US price will be higher once local sales tax is added.

Why Could the iPhone Duo Cost More in India?

Apple hasn't explained why the iPhone Duo carries such a large premium in India, so there isn't one confirmed reason we can point to.

One possible explanation could be the way Apple prices its products across different markets. The India price already includes GST, while the US price does not include state sales tax. Currency fluctuations, logistics, distribution costs, and other regional pricing factors could also be contributing to the difference.

However, these are only possible factors. Apple hasn't provided a breakdown explaining exactly how it arrived at the Rs 2,99,900 starting price in India.

iPhone Duo Price and Availability in India

The iPhone Duo starts at Rs 2,99,900 in India and will be available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage configurations. Buyers will be able to choose between Star White and Night Sky finishes.

For comparison, the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900 in India, meaning the entry-level iPhone Duo costs another Rs 1,20,000 over Apple's conventional flagship.

Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo begin in India on October 16, with sales starting on October 23. The device will ship with iOS 27.1.

Apple is also launching dedicated accessories for the foldable. The iPhone Duo Case is priced at Rs 8,900, while the iPhone Duo Folio with Kickstand costs Rs 14,900.