IPhones to Hit $3.5K? Trump Tariffs Spark Apple Revolt

[CharlieH]

 

Apple faces a consumer mutiny as Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs threaten to send iPhone prices stratospheric—with the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro potentially tripling to $3,500 (£2,715). The tech giant’s shares nosedived 9.3% in a single day, vaporizing $311bn as analysts warned of “catastrophic” price hikes and a Samsung exodus.

 

Price Surge Breakdown:

• iPhone 16 Pro: Could rocket from $1,100 to $3,500—a 218% spike

• Pro Max Shock: $1,599 model may hit $2,300 overnight

• Budget Blow: Base iPhone 16e to leap from $799 to $1,142

 

TechInsights reveals production costs for the 256GB Pro model will soar from $580 to $850, with Trump’s 54% China tariff forcing Apple to choose between profit margins and customer loyalty. “Goodbye iPhone, hello Samsung,” trended on X as users vowed boycotts, branding the devices “luxuries” in a cost-of-living crisis.

 

Market Meltdown:
The FTSE 100 plunged 5% to a one-year low, mirroring panicked sell-offs across Europe (DAX -6.5%, CAC 40 -5.3%). Asian markets tanked as Trump’s global tariff blitz—including 46% on Vietnam and 26% on India—threatened supply chains. Apple’s India pivot now looks “pointless,” analysts say, with relocation costs dwarfing tariff savings.

Consumer Fury:

• Social Media Storm: “Stop buying iPhones!” demands dominate threads

• Samsung’s Edge: Lower tariffs on South Korean rivals could flip the market

• Luxury Label: “You don’t need it—it’s just a status symbol!”

 

Apple’s Dilemma:
CFRA’s Angelo Zino warns the firm can only pass 5-10% of costs to buyers without “killing demand.” All eyes are on September’s iPhone 17 launch, seen as Apple’s last chance to mask hikes as “premium upgrades.”

Global Fallout:

The Nasdaq tumbled 5.8% as tech stocks bled, with Meta, Nvidia, and Amazon joining Apple’s rout. “This isn’t trade policy—it’s economic warfare,” said one analyst as Trump’s 10% baseline tariff hit every import.

 

What’s Next?
Apple remains silent, but insiders hint at emergency talks with China and the White House. For now, the message is clear: your next iPhone might cost more than a Caribbean cruise.

 

Based on a Daily Mail story

 

08.04.2025

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

Great news!!!  Will the USA's 900-odd billionaires continue to support Trump?

[JonnyF]

Lots of mights, mays, potentiallys and coulds in that article.

 

Interesting that a 54% import tariff "could" increase the price by 218%. 😄

 

I picked up my 16 Pro Max a couple of weeks ago. Good phones. I predict they will sell well.  

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Great news!!!  Will the USA's 900-odd billionaires continue to support Trump?

I believe that support is the precise purpose of the tariffs.

 

As this report demonstrates they hit US Corporations/Billionaires.

 

They too want the tariffs removed, when they need to make a deal with Trump and we’ve all seen how deals with Trump are conducted.

 

[Digitalbanana]

The relationship between tariffs and price spikes isn't always straightforward. In this scenario, a 54% tariff on imports from China could significantly increase Apple's production costs. However, the price spike of 218% for the iPhone 16 Pro seems disproportionate to the tariff alone at first glance.

 

Several factors might contribute to this discrepancy:

 

Production costs: The article mentions a 47% increase in production costs for the 256GB Pro model (from $580 to $850). This rise could be due to various factors, including the tariff, supply chain disruptions, or component shortages.

 

Profit margins: Apple might choose to maintain or increase its profit margins, which could amplify the price hike.

 

Market dynamics: The article suggests that consumers are already responding negatively to the potential price increase, with some considering alternatives like Samsung. This could lead to a decrease in demand, prompting Apple to reevaluate its pricing strategy.

 

Other cost factors: There might be additional costs, such as research and development expenses, marketing, or distribution fees, that contribute to the final price.

 

The relationship between tariffs and consumer prices is complex, and various factors can influence the final cost of a product. Only having tariff free trade across nations will keep costs to consumers at reasonable levels. Expect poor sales and further Apple stock price hits as earnings take a hit.

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Great news!!!  Will the USA's 900-odd billionaires continue to support Trump?

It is great news if Apple is crushed. Overpriced toys for the rich that do nothing that cheaper products do as well.

[hotsun]

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

It is great news if Apple is crushed. Overpriced toys for the rich that do nothing that cheaper products do as well.

I buy a 300 dollar motorolla every 5 years, the same model every time. Works great

[bamnutsak]

An army of millions...

 

 

[SHA 2 BKK]

Be like like the “Boot Leg” era in the States.   Instead of Grog though you will get Speakeasy’s filled with smuggled imported goods. 
 

Secret hideaways with IPhones, Computers and other contraband other Freedom loving Yanks, not in the know, will have to pay Trumps Tax on to access. 
 

Looking forward to some old fashioned shootouts.   “Hand over those un-tarrifed bottles of Canadian Maple Syrup and Australian Beef” the FBI will say on a “steak out”.

[thaibeachlovers]

16 minutes ago, hotsun said:

I buy a 300 dollar motorolla every 5 years, the same model every time. Works great

My current phone is over 20 years old and works just fine. It won't work any more later this year when the IMO scum running the phone system force us onto a different system.

The price of the new phone I don't want to buy is about $40. Apple won't be making a profit off me any time soon.

 

PS I have no idea of the brand and don't care- they are all made in China anyway.