Overview
- The final step of the government's policy took effect in mid‑January, dropping cellphone import tariffs to 0% and lowering internal taxes on imported devices to 9.5%, with exemptions for units assembled in Tierra del Fuego.
- Market checks show substantial gaps remain, including an iPhone 17 Pro Max (256 GB) priced around USD 2,064–2,229 in Argentina versus roughly USD 1,757 in Chile and USD 1,199 in the United States.
- Price comparisons also highlight wide differences for Android models, such as a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE listed at about USD 1,216 in Argentina versus roughly USD 737 in Chile.
- The industry group Cadmipya estimates devices abroad average about 30% cheaper, reflecting persistent costs in taxes, distribution, exchange rates and logistics.
- Retailers report pre‑emptive adjustments and promotions—MacStation says it baked the cut into iPhone 17 launch prices—while analysts expect only partial declines in the medium term, with some models potentially falling up to about 30%.