3 hrs ago
US iPhone Duo Trip Savings Claim Faces Online Scrutiny
A viral post says buying the iPhone Duo in the United States could be cheaper than buying it in India.
The phone is reported to cost about Rs 2,99,900 in India.
In the United States, its listed price is around $1,999 before taxes.
Ishan Sharma added the phone price to a return flight from Mumbai to New York and estimated savings of about Rs 30,000.
Many people said this math leaves out important expenses.
These can include US sales tax, a US visa, hotels, local travel and customs costs.
Warranty and service may also be harder when the phone is bought abroad.
So flying only to buy the phone may not really save money for most people.
The iPhone Duo is reported to cost about Rs 2,99,900 in India, compared with $1,999 in the United States before taxes.
Ishan Sharma estimated that a Mumbai–New York return flight and a US iPhone Duo could total around Rs 2.70 lakh.
The calculation suggested savings of nearly Rs 30,000 compared with buying the phone in India.
Users said the estimate excluded US sales taxes, visa expenses, hotels, local travel, customs and other costs.
Buying abroad may suit existing international travellers, but local purchase generally offers simpler warranty and after-sales support.
- Who
- Ishan Sharma made the viral comparison, while online users questioned its assumptions; Apple is the manufacturer of the iPhone Duo.
- What
- A viral claim says flying from India to the United States to buy an iPhone Duo could save nearly Rs 30,000.
- Where
- The comparison concerns buying the phone in the United States, potentially in Oregon or Delaware, instead of India; the example uses a Mumbai–New York flight.
- When
- The discussion followed Apple’s announcement of India pricing for the newly launched device.
- Why
- The claim is based on the reported price gap between India and the United States, but critics say taxes, travel expenses and service issues were omitted.
Claim Supports Buying Abroad
Critics Say Savings Are Uncertain
Overall cost
Claim Supports Buying Abroad
The comparison argues that the US phone price plus a Mumbai–New York return flight could total about Rs 2.70 lakh, leaving nearly Rs 30,000 in savings.
Critics Say Savings Are Uncertain
Users say the estimate excludes US sales tax and other travel-related costs, so the final amount could be higher.
Travel practicality
Claim Supports Buying Abroad
Buying in Oregon or Delaware, where the article says there is no general sales tax, could reduce the purchase cost.
Critics Say Savings Are Uncertain
Critics note that visa fees, consulate travel, appointment charges, local transportation and accommodation make a dedicated trip impractical.
Best buying option
Claim Supports Buying Abroad
The price gap may benefit people already travelling internationally or visiting the US or UAE.
Critics Say Savings Are Uncertain
For most consumers, buying in India is considered safer because of warranty coverage and easier after-sales service.
Key facts
- India price
- Around Rs 2,99,900
- US price
- Around $1,999 before applicable taxes
- Example flight
- Mumbai to New York return fares starting at around Rs 77,852
- Estimated total
- About Rs 2.70 lakh for the phone and flight, according to the viral calculation
- Claimed saving
- Nearly Rs 30,000 compared with the reported India price
- Potential US locations
- Oregon and Delaware were cited as states without general sales tax
- Overlooked costs
- Users cited taxes, visa fees, hotels, local transport, customs and warranty limitations
Quotes
An online user
A commenter who challenged the comparison for excluding US taxes.
“iPhone Duo starts at Rs 3,00,000 in India! You can literally book a return flight to the USA, buy the iPhone Duo in Oregon/Delaware, come back to India AND still save Rs 30,000. Will you do it?”
firstpost.com
“You also need to add US taxes. The smarter option is to fly to Dubai and buy it for around Rs 2 lakh. That would save both money and time.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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