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.

[jollyhangmon]

4 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

An army of millions...

 

 

 

... 555, ain't that the "our meat is beautiful but their meat is weak" fullwank ...?!

What an utterly primitive clown, hilarious in a sad way.

 

 

[impulse]

20 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

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

 

That's what I used to think, until I bought a couple of phones that looked good but had wonky operating systems and real crappy batteries.

 

My current phone is a Samsung A05s which costs around $150 nowadays, 1/4 of what I paid for my first Samsung S2 smartphone, and that was almost 15 years ago when $600 was a lot of money.

 

The idea that a 50% tariff will drive up the cost by 200% is another example of the syndrome in the media, especially when the tariffs are only levied on the transfer price, which is a fraction of the selling price.  (And Apple doing what Apple does)

 

[thaibeachlovers]

3 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

That's what I used to think, until I bought a couple of phones that looked good but had wonky operating systems and real crappy batteries.

 

My current phone is a Samsung A05s which costs around $150 nowadays, 1/4 of what I paid for my first Samsung S2 smartphone, and that was almost 15 years ago when $600 was a lot of money.

 

The idea that a 50% tariff will drive up the cost by 200% is another example of the syndrome in the media.  (And Apple doing what Apple does)

 

My 20 year old phone battery only last 5 minutes now, so mainly used when plugged in. Of course I can't get another.

 

If I want to communicate with anyone it's normally by e mail. When in the car, I can plug it into the car battery. I keep it mainly for emergencies.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 minutes ago, impulse said:

My current phone is a Samsung A05s which costs around $150 nowadays, 1/4 of what I paid for my first Samsung S2 smartphone, and that was almost 15 years ago when $600 was a lot of money.

LOL. I remember taking out a loan on the house to buy my first vdo tape recorder. I can buy a Blu Ray player now for a couple hundred $. The only thing getting cheaper now is tech.

[Cryingdick]

An iPhone costing $3,500nis just insanely stupid. It will never happen.

[CallumWK]

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

An iPhone costing $3,500nis just insanely stupid. It will never happen.

 

If they are priced like that they still will sell. Apple has a cult of followers who can't think outside the box, same to MAGA cult followers.

 

Take note, both are Americans.

[Cryingdick]

3 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

If they are priced like that they still will sell. Apple has a cult of followers who can't think outside the box, same to MAGA cult followers.

 

Take note, both are Americans.

 

The Apple cult tends to be smooth hand liberal douchebags not anything like MAGA supporters. If ther iPhone costs $3,500 it will be the end of Apple. On sites that have some knowledge they are saying a few hundred dollars price increase. Apple has onshored enough shipments of phione to hold out for a few months.

[gk10012001]

I do, yet don't get it.  Four years ago I bought my first smart phone.  Yes, a late comer.  A moto G7 Power.  Long lasting battery, plenty of memory.  Has a very large screen.  Android apps abound and the few I use do everything I need.  Cost was 250.  In another year I may replace it with a 5G capable phone, depending on how long they keep 4 G around.  The only reason I replaced my previous phone was because they phased out 3 G.  And before that, the only reason I replaced my ericcson voice and text phone was because they stopped 2G. The prices I see people paying for Iphones just, well just is not something I would ever do. 

[CallumWK]

6 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

The Apple cult tends to be smooth hand liberal douchebags not anything like MAGA supporters.

\

Sure, Apple cult and MAGA cult supporters are not in the same demographic. The first group are intellectual people with money.

 

8 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Apple has onshored enough shipments of phione to hold out for a few months.

 

I very much doubt that, since Apple is known for their "on time delivery".

[Cryingdick]

21 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

\

Sure, Apple cult and MAGA cult supporters are not in the same demographic. The first group are intellectual people with money.

 

 

I very much doubt that, since Apple is known for their "on time delivery".

Well I follow Apple closely and can tell you they have began to move product in. The first group is about to be replaced by Ai.Shopify has implemented a hiring program that you have to demonstrate you can't be replaced by AI to get hired. Lol

 

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/04/07/apple-iphone-tariffs-india/

[Yagoda]

On 4/8/2025 at 7:49 AM, JonnyF said:

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.  

Yeah lets see how those words play out over several weeks.

 

Maybe Apple could move out of China?

8 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Sure, Apple cult and MAGA cult supporters are not in the same demographic. The first group are intellectual people with money.

Alternatively, the Apple cult folks are too stupid to have control over a phone.

[ChaiyaTH]

Never gonna happen, not even close to it. Besides this the days of Apple being special or expensive are over since many years by now. You buy even a M4 Mac Mini, super powerful home PC, for just 20K baht new, nowadays, that's the latest model. Can run 4 monitors on it.

 

It's just the typical frugal people who still walk around with their half broken androids thinking that Iphones that just work, cost so much. I mean even an Iphone 11 functions better than virtually any Android today.

 

I sold consumer and business grade dell, lenovo for over a decade, same for android. Now it's soon 8 years in apple, my son is still using my first devices, I would in reality not even have to renew if it wasn't work and professional use.

 

The exchange rates will have more impact on the local iphone prices than the tarrifs will. They always controlled this, a Dell Latitude Docking station would for example back in the day always cost over 300 in australia while it was just 150 in europe. Those times are long gone.

 

I f those times would suddenly come back, well, we got ourselves a nice side hustle to travel for free then.

[Cryingdick]

The whole story about an iPhone being $3,400 is idiotic.

[ChaiyaTH]

4 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

The whole story about an iPhone being $3,400 is idiotic.

It is entirely, typical left wing overreacting behavior same as to blame all on tarrifs while this crash would happen either way. The money issue is from decades. Also perfect timing as central banks introduce the CBDC this summer in '25, announced since '19. 

What a wonder the tarrifs are now delayed 90 days to exactly that timeframe too... People who think politics are real, lol, wake up. We are playing the last few rounds of a chair dance, at best they can buy up to 2030.

[Cryingdick]

3 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

It is entirely, typical left wing overreacting behavior same as to blame all on tarrifs while this crash would happen either way. The money issue is from decades. Also perfect timing as central banks introduce the CBDC this summer in '25, announced since '19. 

What a wonder the tarrifs are now delayed 90 days to exactly that timeframe too... People who think politics are real, lol, wake up. We are playing the last few rounds of a chair dance, at best they can buy up to 2030.

Where did you hear the tariffs are delayed 90 days?

[chondan]

Who needs a $3.5 smart phone?  It  can't cure stupidity.

[ChaiyaTH]

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

Where did you hear the tariffs are delayed 90 days?

That is old news since yesterday with the exception for tarrifs on China. Watch real finance news instead of mainstream news, a whole world opens up lol.

[spidermike007]

Trump is a moron. It’s a total mess. As the Ford Motor chief executive Jim Farley courageously (compared to other chief executives) pointed out, “Let’s be real honest: Long term, a 25 percent tariff across the Mexico and Canada borders would blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we’ve never seen.”

 

So, either Trump wants to blow that hole, or he’s bluffing, or he is clueless. If it is the latter, Trump is going to get a crash course in the hard realities of the global economy as it really is — not how he imagines it.

 

Ecosystems? Listen a bit to Beinhocker, who is also the executive director of the Institute for New Economic Thinking at the Oxford Martin School. In the real world, he argues, “There is no such thing as the American economy anymore that you can identify in any real, tangible way. There’s just this accounting fiction that we call U.S. G.D.P.” To be sure, he says, “There are American interests in the economy. There are American workers. There are American consumers. There are firms based in America. But there is no American economy in that isolated sense.”

 

The old days, he added, “where you made wine and I made cheese, and you had everything you needed to make wine and I had everything I needed to make cheese and so we traded with each other — which made us both better off, as Adam Smith taught — those days are long gone.” Except in Trump’s head.

 

Instead, there is a global web of commercial, manufacturing, services and trading “ecosystems,” explains Beinhocker. “There is an automobile ecosystem. There’s an A.I. ecosystem. There’s a smartphone ecosystem. There’s a drug development ecosystem. There is the chip-making ecosystem.” And the people, parts and knowledge that make up those ecosystems all move back and forth across many economies.

 

As NPR noted in a recent story about the auto industry, “carmakers have built a vast, complicated supply chain that spans North America, with parts crossing back and forth across borders throughout the auto manufacturing process. … Some parts cross borders multiple times — like, say, a wire that is manufactured in the U.S., sent to Mexico to be bundled into a group of wires, and then back to the U.S. for installation into a bigger piece of a car, like a seat.”

 

Trump just waves off all of this. He told reporters that the U.S. is not reliant on Canada. “We don’t need them to make our cars,” he said. But here’s the catch. You cannot make complex stuff alone anymore. It’s too complex. And if you are not part of these ecosystems, your country will not thrive.”

 

And trust is the essential ingredient that makes these ecosystems work and grow, Beinhocker adds. Trust acts as both glue and grease. It glues together bonds of cooperation, while at the same time it greases the flows of people, products, capital and ideas from one country to the next. Remove trust and the ecosystems start to collapse.

 

Trust, though, is built by good rules and healthy relationships, and Trump is trampling on both. The result: If he goes down this road, Trump will make America and the world poorer. Mr. President, do your homework.

 

 

 

[bamnutsak]

6 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

The whole story about an iPhone being $3,400 is idiotic.

 

 

Tim Cook, and AAPL investors probably disagree with you? But perhaps you are an expert on "idiocy"?

 

 

Apple’s 3-day loss in market cap swells to almost $640 billion

 

 

Apple is one of the most exposed companies to a trade war, analysts say, due to its hefty reliance on China, which is facing 54% tariffs.

The company’s stock has lost about 20% of its value over the past three trading days, wiping out almost $640 billion in market cap.

While the market has gotten hammered from the tariff announcements, only Apple, Microsoft and Tesla were down on Monday among the tech megacaps.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/07/apples-3-day-loss-in-market-cap-swells-to-almost-640-billion.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChaiyaTH]

4 minutes ago, chondan said:

Who needs a $3.5 smart phone?  It  can't cure stupidity.

A freelance trader that might get faster Internet connectivity with the latest model; this easily can save or make  him hundreds per month in difference.
A freelance photographer or videographer that uses the latest camera's.
Do i have to continue?

Stupidity is people who can't even imagine the possibilities in today's world. How many people use the entire Adobe suite while it costs a fortune too. Few. 

It is always so obvious what type of people you talk to; those who have no clue about finance or real issues in economy, the consequences otherwise; wars etc etc, they always are usually teaching or government working people, or in jobs, thinking money magically arrives.

As soon anything damages then their little bubble and ideals, it is straight lunacy. Just the fact people not understand that we would have had the same financial crashes regardless of tarrifs, just a few months later perhaps, is too funny to begin with.