Is Buying an iPhone Worth the Kidney Jokes?

In recent years, jokes about buying an iPhone costing a kidney have become quite common. The prices of iPhones vary from country to country, and Apple has recently launched the iPhone 15 series. The top model of the series, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, is so expensive in India that one might consider taking a trip to places like Hong Kong or Dubai to buy it at a lower price. In this article, we will explore the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Hong Kong, how much you can save, and the feasibility of such a venture.

iPhone 15 Pro Max Price in India and Hong Kong

First, let’s compare the prices of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in India and Hong Kong. According to the Apple website, the base variant with 256GB storage in India is priced at ₹1,59,900. In Hong Kong, the same phone is priced at HK$10199 (approximately ₹1,08,058). This translates to a savings of nearly ₹50,000 if you buy it in Hong Kong.

Saving ₹50,000: Is it Feasible?

Let’s break down the cost of a trip to Hong Kong to see if it’s worth the effort. If we check flights from Delhi to Hong Kong for September 29th, we find that Air India offers a return flight for ₹28,138, which is the most convenient and affordable option. Once you have your ticket, you can look for hotel stays. On travel websites, you can find 3-star hotels in Hong Kong for a nightly rate ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000. For two nights, you might spend ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 on accommodation. Food and other expenses would add up to about ₹10,000 to ₹12,000. Overall, your expenses for the trip would be around ₹50,000, which is the same amount you would save when buying the iPhone in Hong Kong.

The Dubai Option

The same formula applies to Dubai as well. Here, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly more expensive, priced at around ₹1,15,000. Flights to Dubai are also cheaper, with a savings of ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 compared to Hong Kong. If you stay for two nights, enjoy some kebabs and shawarma, and purchase the iPhone, you could save around ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. It’s worth mentioning that Apple offers a global warranty for iPhones, so you can buy one anywhere in the world, and the warranty will still be valid.

Is it Advisable?

We do not recommend this approach due to visa and entry fee considerations, which could make the phone more expensive in the end. However, we want to highlight the significant price difference between India and other countries. If you have acquaintances in Hong Kong or Dubai, you could ask them to purchase the phone for you, potentially turning it into a beneficial deal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it may seem tempting to buy an iPhone abroad to save money, the additional costs, visa requirements, and potential risks should not be underestimated. Always research thoroughly before making such a decision.