After ban against Apple: iPhone 16 finally comes to Indonesia
After months of negotiations, Apple has managed to break through Jakarta's blockade against the new iPhone. This will not come cheap for the company.
Jakarta, India: An important, up-and-coming market for Apple.
(Image: leolintang / Shutterstock)
The iPhone 16 has been on the market since September. However, the four variants of Apple's latest top smartphone have not been available in Indonesia so far, even though the country with its almost 285 million often young inhabitants offers an interesting sales opportunity for Apple. The reason: since the fall, the US company and the government in Jakarta have been arguing about whether and how much Apple should invest locally. But now the dispute seems to have been finally settled: Apple was able to have the import ban lifted and announced that it would finally start shipping from April 11. At the same time, the newer iPhone 16e is also coming to Indonesia.
Between 100 million and one billion
Apple had originally planned to invest a good 100 million euros in Indonesia, but the sum fell short by around 13.5 million euros. The response from the Ministry of Economy and Industry in Jakarta was prompt: the iPhone was denied the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and approval, the IMEI is a number that makes devices identifiable. Then there were months of back and forth, with investment sums amounting to one billion US dollars in the meantime.
Apple wanted to create educational facilities and research centers, but the government wanted iPhone components to be produced locally. Most recently, it was said that accessory products such as AirTags could soon be available. At the end of February, it looked as if the import ban would finally be lifted. This now seems to have happened with the necessary approval.
Luxshare is probably building AirTags in Indonesia
Allegedly, Apple has even managed to obtain a "Local Component Content" certification, which is 35 to 40 percent – How exactly remains unclear. There is now said to be a 300 million dollar investment plan for two factories in Bandung and Batam, one of which will be operated by Luxshare.
AirTags (up to 20 percent of total global production) and as yet unspecified accessory products are to be manufactured here – possibly cables. However, there will be no actual iPhone production in Indonesia for now. The "Local Component Content" rate can apparently also be fulfilled by software components.
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