How much is an iPhone 14 in Turkey?
For Turkish consumers hungry to get their hands on Apple‘s latest iPhone, the pricing in 2022 came as an unwelcome shock. The iPhone 14 lineup launched with eyebrow-raising price tags over 2.5X higher in Turkey than in the United States.
So what gives? Why is buying an iPhone 14 for Turks akin to buying a small car compared to most global consumers? After Apple‘s grand unveiling, let‘s dive into the numbers behind the iPhone 14‘s hefty cost in Turkey and what factors led to the eye-watering prices.
Just How Expensive is the iPhone 14 in Turkey?
First, how much does the iPhone 14 really cost for Turkish buyers right now? The 128GB iPhone 14 starts at approximately TRY 21,000. At the current exchange rate, that equals…$2,193.
No, that‘s not a typo. Due to a perfect storm of import taxes, inflation, and currency issues, acquiring Apple‘s latest smartphone costs over 2.5 times more in Turkey than the US price of $799. Here‘s a breakdown of current iPhone 14 prices for Turks:
| Model | Price in Turkey |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 128GB | Try 21,000 ($2,193) |
| iPhone 14 256GB | Try 23,000 ($2,403) |
| iPhone 14 512GB | Try 26,500 ($2,764) |
| iPhone 14 Plus 128GB | Try 25,000 ($2,608) |
| iPhone 14 Plus 256GB | Try 27,000 ($2,817) |
| iPhone 14 Plus 512GB | Try 30,500 ($3,178) |
| iPhone 14 Pro 128GB | Try 29,500 ($3,078) |
| iPhone 14 Pro 256GB | Try 31,500 ($3,287) |
| iPhone 14 Pro 512GB | Try 35,000 ($3,649) |
| iPhone 14 Pro 1TB | Try 38,500 ($4,012) |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max 128GB | Try 30,500 ($3,178) |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB | Try 32,500 ($3,387) |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max 512GB | Try 36,000 ($3,758) |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB | Try 39,500 ($4,122) |
As you can see, even the "cheapest" iPhone 14 costs the equivalent of 2.5 months salary for the average Turkish citizen. For the top Pro Max 1TB model, you‘re looking at over 9 months pay for most Turks!
Turkey Now Has the Most Expensive iPhones Globally
To put Turkey‘s costs into perspective, here is how iPhone 14 pricing compares in different countries worldwide:
| Country | iPhone 14 128GB Price |
|---|---|
| Turkey | $2,193 |
| Brazil | $1,823 |
| Sweden | $1,317 |
| Denmark | $1,293 |
| Italy | $1,189 |
| Germany | $1,149 |
| France | $1,079 |
| China | $1,042 |
| UK | $1,019 |
| Japan | $967 |
| USA | $799 |
According to this data, Turkey now holds the title for having the most expensive iPhone costs on the planet. The $2,193 price is nearly $1,400 more than what Americans pay. The only country coming close is Brazil, where iPhones still sell for $400+ less than in Turkey.
What‘s Behind the Massive Price Disparity?
So how did Turkish iPhone prices balloon so drastically compared to the rest of the world? There are two primary factors:
1. Exorbitant Import and Sales Taxes
Turkey slaps a special "luxury" import tax on mobile phones of around 100%. This instantly doubles the retail cost coming into the country.
On top of that, Apple has to add a 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) when selling the iPhone locally. This perfect storm of taxes makes the iPhone 14 twice as expensive out of the gate.
2. Rampant Inflation and Currency Decline
Over the past 5 years, the Turkish Lira has lost over 70% of its value compared to the US dollar. The currency depreciation makes imports paid for in foreign currencies astronomically expensive.
Simultaneously, inflation in Turkey has rapidly eroded consumer purchasing power. The country has averaged over 10% inflation annually since 2018, peaking at 36% in 2002.
This combination of a weak Lira and skyrocketing prices has put imported iPhones far out of reach for average Turkish households. Even for the middle class, buying an iPhone has turned into a major luxury purchase.
| Year | iPhone 14 Equivalent Price | Inflation That Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $2,193 | 83% |
| 2021 | $1,600 | 19% |
| 2020 | $1,350 | 15% |
| 2019 | $1,100 | 16% |
| 2018 | $950 | 20% |
Looking at this table, you can see how inflation has nearly doubled the cost of iPhones over the past 4 years when converted to dollars. For Turks earning Lira incomes, that inflationary impact is even worse.
Do Turks Even Want iPhones at These Prices?
With costs so astronomical, you might assume demand for the iPhone 14 would be weak in Turkey. But the reality is more complicated.
Despite the high prices, the iPhone still carries enormous cachet as a luxury status symbol and fashion accessory for wealthier Turks. Owning the latest model brings prestige.
In fact, on launch day long lines still formed at Apple stores in Istanbul and Ankara. Initial supply of iPhone 14 models sold out rapidly across the country.
According to market research, Turkey has the 5th highest iPhone market share globally. Over 30% of smartphones used are iPhones, primarily concentrated among younger and more affluent demographics.
The brand loyalty and desirability remains strong. For middle class Turks though, buying an iPhone often requires saving up for months or taking on debt through carriers.
How Can Turkish Consumers Get a Better Deal?
For Turkish consumers set on getting an iPhone 14, there are still some options to avoid local retail pricing:
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Travel abroad – Shoppers can buy an iPhone duty-free while visiting countries like Greece, Bulgaria or the UAE.
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Import independently – Using personal allowances, Turks visiting abroad can bring back 1 phone every 2 years. Extra fees still apply.
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Reseller market – Online platforms like GittiGidiyor have an active gray market for imported used/refurbished iPhones. Selection is limited though.
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Carrier installments – Turkcell, Vodafone and Turk Telekom offer 12-24 month installment plans to ease the pricing pain. But total costs are still higher.
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Wait for discounts – Retailers may offer small discounts around Black Friday or at year end to boost lagging sales. But massive price cuts are unlikely.
Unless import regulations or currency conditions improve, buying an iPhone in Turkey will remain extremely expensive for average consumers. For now, Turkish Apple fans have little choice but to pay the world‘s highest prices or get creative to find iPhone deals locally.