Key facts
- The iPhone 17 Pro costs €2,222 in Turkey, the highest price globally, and €1,187 in Switzerland, the lowest in Europe.
- Japan offers the cheapest iPhone relative to the US price of $1,181 (€1,012), with South Korea matching the US price.
- Taxes, such as Hungary's 27% VAT and Turkey's special consumption tax and IMEI registration fee, significantly impact iPhone prices.
- The price gap for iPhones between Europe and the US has widened over the past decade.
- Nominal prices do not reflect income disparities, with average wages ranging from €18,590 in Turkey to €107,487 in Switzerland.
A new report from Deutsche Bank Research, 'Mapping the World’s Prices 2026,' highlights significant global price variations for Apple's iPhone 17 Pro, with taxes and currency fluctuations playing a crucial role. The study, which analyzed 41 markets, found that Turkey has the most expensive iPhone 17 Pro at €2,222, a price more than double that of the United States. This stark difference is attributed to factors like a special consumption tax and an IMEI registration fee.
Switzerland, despite being one of the world's most expensive economies, offers the lowest iPhone price in Europe at €1,187, largely due to its low 8.1% VAT. Hungary presents Europe's second-highest price at €1,565, influenced by its 27% VAT.
Globally, only Japan (€961 or $1,121) is cheaper than the US ($1,181 or €1,012), with South Korea matching the US price. The report notes that Japan's affordability is linked to the weak yen, while South Korea benefits from domestic competition.
Comparing the iPhone 17 Pro's pricing in 2026 to the iPhone 7 in 2017 reveals that price gaps have widened, particularly between Europe and the US. Turkey and Brazil saw the largest increases in this gap, with the iPhone 7 being 47% more expensive in Turkey than in the US, a figure that rose to 119% for the iPhone 17 Pro.
The report also points out that these nominal prices do not account for income disparities. For instance, average annual gross wages in 2025 ranged from €18,590 in Turkey to €107,487 in Switzerland, indicating a much wider affordability gap when income levels are considered.