Get the Finder app 🥳

Track your credit score, free

Free

Install
finder.com.au

Are Australians paying more for the iPhone XS Max?

How much "Apple Tax" has been added to the iPhone XS Max for those of us Down Under?

Alex Kidman
Alex Kidman

Updated

Apple launched the iPhone XS Max in September 2018 amidst a flurry of hype and a frenzy of pre-orders. But if you're pondering an iPhone XS Max, you're no doubt well aware that the outright pricing is, shall we say, on the pointy side. A fully decked out Apple iPhone XS with 512GB of onboard storage will cost you $2369, easily the most expensive regularly available handset to hit the Australian market to date.

Australia vs the world

But how does that compare worldwide? A common complaint (and misconception) in the early days of the iPhone was that it was "way cheaper" in the USA, thanks to the way Apple used to announce pricing at $99 for a handset. This wasn't actually the case because that was what you'd pay AT&T just to start a two-year iPhone contract. Since then, Apple's opened up iPhone outright sales across the planet.

So here's what Apple charges for that 512GB iPhone XS Max across 26 different nations, converted into Australian dollars. A few caveats to these figures; they're based on Apple's stated pre-order prices, although it's exceptionally rare for it to change iPhone prices over their year of primacy anyway. No local taxes have been taken into account, and those could affect converted costs to the consumer. Exchange rates may shift and were calculated on 17 September 2018.

While we don't have the absolute lowest-cost iPhone XS Max models on the planet, we're reasonably well off in fifth place. Japan has the lowest cost, although without having much tax expertise, I expect that Apple's quoting without Japan's 8% consumption tax taken into effect. Add that and it's rather close, and likewise, US prices in states where sales tax applies would push their pricing up too.

Still, it's long been the case that Apple fans in Scandinavia are slugged with the highest prices, and for the iPhone XS Max, that trend sadly continues.

Want to know more about the iPhone XS Max? We've collected everything you need to know about the Apple iPhone XS Max here.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative than buying the iPhone XS Max outright, you can compare contract deals in the table below:

Latest mobile phones headlines

Related Posts

Finder Daily Deals: The 5 best online deals in Australia today

Today's best online deals in Australia, hand-picked by Finder's shopping experts.

Credit cards vs buy now pay later

Both buy now pay later plans and credit cards give you ways to pay off purchases over time – here's how they compare.

Free Tax Invoice Templates (Australia)

Here's how to make invoicing work so that your business can get on with delivering value to your customers.

Logitech MX Keys for Mac review

The MX Keys for Mac is comfortable to use, with a raised back and rounded keys, and it allows you to connect to three devices at a time.

Alienware Area 51 M17 R2 review

Dell pulls out all the stops for the Alienware Area 51 M17 R2, although it'll leave a hefty dent in your wallet – and your lap if you leave it there.

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Go to site