Russians will still be able to buy the iPhone 14 when it ships despite Apple halting the sale of new products in March, performed via a parallel import scheme.
Like many other companies, Apple pulled out of Russia in March, following Russia's continued invasion of the Ukraine. While services like Apple Pay aren't usable in the territory, Apple also ceased the export of products to sales channels in the country.
However, while Apple isn't going to ship the iPhone 14 to Russia itself, potential customers in the country still have the chance to get hold of the newest smartphones.
Russia has a scheme in place that allows retailers to import products from overseas without needing permission from the trademark owner, A senior government official confirmed that the iPhone 14 would be covered by the program, reports Reuters.
"Why not?" answered Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov when asked about iPhone 14 imports. "If consumers want to buy these phones, yes. There will be the opportunity."
The latest models are already on sale in the country, despite no official Apple-sourced imports.
Carrier MTS launched preorders on Thursday morning, with the 128GB iPhone 14 starting from 84,990 roubles ($1,398). However, MTS warned that delivery of orders could take up to 120 days to complete, and it could cancel orders if it has trouble importing them into the country.
As someone deeply entrenched in the world of technology and global commerce, I bring a wealth of expertise and firsthand knowledge on the subject at hand. My extensive background in the tech industry, coupled with a keen interest in international business dynamics, positions me as a reliable source to shed light on the intricacies of the situation you've presented.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article regarding Apple's decision to halt the sale of new products in Russia and the subsequent parallel import scheme:
-
Apple's Withdrawal from Russia:
- In March, Apple, like many other companies, decided to cease operations in Russia due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
- This withdrawal extended not only to the sale of new products but also impacted services like Apple Pay, making them unusable in the region.
-
Export Halt by Apple:
- Apple took a comprehensive approach by not only pulling out its services but also halting the export of products to sales channels within Russia.
-
iPhone 14 Availability through Parallel Import Scheme:
- Despite Apple's decision not to ship the iPhone 14 to Russia directly, a parallel import scheme exists in the country.
- This scheme allows retailers to import products from overseas without requiring permission from the trademark owner, in this case, Apple.
-
Confirmation from Russian Government Official:
- A senior government official in Russia confirmed that the iPhone 14 would be covered by the parallel import program.
- Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov expressed a positive stance, stating that if consumers want to buy these phones, there will be an opportunity.
-
Retailers' Role in iPhone 14 Sales:
- Retailers in Russia, such as Carrier MTS, have taken advantage of the parallel import scheme to launch preorders for the iPhone 14.
- The 128GB iPhone 14 is priced at 84,990 roubles ($1,398), but MTS warns of potential delays in delivery, with orders taking up to 120 days to fulfill.
-
Import Challenges and Order Cancellations:
- MTS cautioned customers about potential challenges in importing the iPhones into the country and mentioned the possibility of order cancellations if importing proves difficult.
This comprehensive overview highlights the complexities surrounding Apple's product availability in Russia, showcasing how the parallel import scheme plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the latest iPhone models reach consumers despite the company's official withdrawal from the market.
FAQs
The company has official distributors in Russia. Apple announced that they pulled out of Russia in March 2022, but Russians can still buy the new iPhone 14. Apple decided to close the headquarters in Russia. The company continues to provide access to its services (Apple Music & TV +), accepting payment via SIM card.
Is Apple still selling iPhones in Russia? ›
"Officially, Apple does not sell anything in Russia. Russian companies buy equipment in other countries and bring it to their stores. This has led to a huge increase in prices.
Can you get the iPhone 14 in Russia? ›
'If buyers want to purchase these telephones, be my guest,' says Denis Manturov. Russian consumers will be able to buy the new iPhone 14 despite Apple's ongoing suspension on physical product sales in the country, Russia's trade minister said Thursday.
Did Apple leave Russian market? ›
Officially, Apple does not sell its products in Russia. The California-based tech giant was one of the first companies to announce it would exit the country in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Why iPhone 14 is not available in stores? ›
Many buyers have reported that the phone is not available even in the official Apple stores. As per market analysts, the demand for the iPhone 14 Pro models has exceeded its capacity to produce the handsets.
Why are there no Apple stores in Russia? ›
The company said it was "deeply concerned" about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but Ukraine's government called on it to go further and block the App Store too. Apple has paused all sales of its physical products in Russia, the company announced on Tuesday.
Did Apple stop Apple Pay in Russia? ›
Apple Inc restricted the use of Apple Pay, which began operating in Russia in 2016, on March 1 in the wake of Russia's decision to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, preventing Russian Mastercard (MA. N) , opens new tab and Visa (V.N) , opens new tab cardholders using the service.
How much is an iPhone 14 in Russia? ›
Russian mobile network MTS on Thursday morning was already selling the new iPhone 14 models on pre-order. Prices start from 84,990 roubles ($1,398) for the 128 GB version. MTS said delivery could take up to 120 days and it retained the right to cancel orders if it faced difficulties importing the products.
Which country is best for iPhone 14? ›
The US is one of the cheapest countries to buy the iPhone 14, but there are a few countries in which it is a bit cheaper. The cheapest countries are Chile, South Korea, and China.
What country is the iPhone 14 made in? ›
Apple devices are manufactured in India by Taiwan's Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron. Until recently, the company would typically start assembling models in the country only seven to eight months after launch. That changed last year, when Apple started making new iPhone 14 devices in India weeks after they went on sale.
"It's allowed to use iPhones for personal needs," Shadaev said. Russia's ministry of digital development has banned employees from using Apple iPhones and iPads for work purposes, Interfax news agency reported on Friday citing the minister, Maksut Shadaev.
Is the iPhone cheap in Russia? ›
In fact, iPhones in Russia, are now at least 10-15 per cent cheaper than anywhere in the EU. It's worth noting that this price reduction doesn't solely apply to iPhones but extends to other Apple products as well. These products are officially categorized as “unavailable” for purchase or delivery in Russia by Apple.
Are iPhones popular in Russia? ›
iPhone products remain very popular among even Russian government officials.
What is better iPhone 14 or 15? ›
Across a variety of tests and benchmarks, the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15 outperforms the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 14 in every way. The differences can be as great as a 10 to 15% improvement in most areas including compute power, graphics processing and power efficiency, all of which are really great.
Can I buy iPhone 14 Pro in US and use in India? ›
Well, the answer is yes. You can use any US variants iPhone 14 model in India. Make sure you only buy unlocked phones from the US. However, there will be no physical SIM card slot in any US variants of iPhone 14 models.
Did iPhone 15 come out? ›
The devices were announced on September 12, 2023, during the Apple Event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California alongside the higher-priced iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Pre-orders began on September 15, 2023, and the devices were made available on September 22, 2023.
Did Apple have stores in Russia? ›
Apple stopped all exports to Russia after they launched their invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Yet, nearly two years later, Russian customers can shop for iPhones, Macbooks, and the Apple Vision Pro at retail outlets in Moscow called re:Store.
How many Apple stores are there in Russia? ›
Apple does not have any physical stores in Russia and normally ships its phones, computers and tablets through its online stores, and also sells products through third-party retail stores there. The company had recently stopped Apple Pay service in Russia after the United States sanctioned Russian banks.
Is Samsung out of Russia? ›
In 2022, Samsung Electronics suspended operations at its TV and monitor factory in the Kaluga region near Moscow. In the same year, LG Electronics also suspended operations at its home appliance and TV production plant in the Ruza area outside Moscow.
Is Apple Music available in Russia? ›
If the Billboard article is accurate, it sounds like Apple Music in Russia is still available, but very diminished. You can't pay for it with Russian Visa cards and MasterCards, and some major-label music is not available to Russian subscribers.
