Indonesia lifts iPhone 16 sales ban
Indonesia has agreed with Apple on terms to lift the country's ban on iPhone 16s sales.
In October 2024, Indonesia banned the iPhone 16 after Apple failed to meet requirements that smartphones sold domestically should comprise 40% locally-made parts. Photo courtesy of Giao thong (Transport) newspaper.
In October 2024, Indonesia banned the iPhone 16 after Apple failed to meet requirements that smartphones sold domestically should comprise 40% locally-made parts.
In November, Indonesia rejected Apple's proposal to invest $100 million in the country, citing a lack of fairness. The impasse in the talks forced the tech giant to propose a $1 billion investment to build an AirTag factory in Indonesia.
Despite banning the sale of the iPhone 16, the Indonesian government still allows this iPhone model to be brought into its territory without commercial transactions. By the end of 2024, an estimated 9,000 new iPhones had been brought into the country that way.
Similarly, Indonesia also banned the sale of Google Pixel phones because it did not meet the requirement for 40% of components.
Last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Indonesia as Apple sought to invest in Southeast Asia's largest economy and diversify its supply chain. He met with then Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his successor Prabowo Subianto for talks after the iPhone maker announced it would expand its academies in Indonesia.
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