Apple is planning to open an Apple Store in Buenos Aires in 2018, according to Gizmodo en Español. The store will be Apple's first official retail location in Argentina, but it is not yet clear where it will be located in the city.

As Apple plans to open its first store in Argentina, several third-party retailers will also start selling Apple products. Starting in 2017, electronics chain Frávega will open 15 store-within-a-store locations that offer a range of Apple products. It is not known, however, if the Frávega locations will be offering the iPhone.

applestoresaopaulo

Apple Morumbi in São Paulo Brazil

At the current point in time, Apple products are exorbitantly expensive in Argentina due to taxes, tariffs, and inflation. Products sell for up to three times as much in Argentina as they do in the United States. The entry-level iPad Pro, for example, sells for $1,418 (22,149 pesos) compared to $599 in the U.S.

Argentina just announced plans to remove a 35 percent import tariff on computers, laptops, and tablets, which, along with a local Apple Store, could lower prices for Argentinian Apple customers.

Apple retail stores have been slow to roll out in Latin America. Apple has two stores in Brazil and just recently opened its first Apple Store in Mexico City. Apple is rumored to be planning to open additional stores in Mexico in Guadalajara and Monterrey, along with locations in Chile and Peru.

Top Rated Comments

Blackstick Avatar
100 months ago
Nice for Buenos Aires.

I worked for Apple Aventura for many years... the store's staff unilaterally found Argentineans in most cases to be very difficult, elitist customers that were challenging to serve. Most especially the Argentineans who worked for the store. They wouldn't even give my buddy the time of day because she was Cuban.

In part this is because being able to afford travel to the US and buy Apple products naturally means that individual is in the 1% elite of their country, but these folks were never shy to let people know it. Humility is not what comes to mind from that group, Argentineans themselves know it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dave2010 Avatar
100 months ago
I love shopping in BA and partly this is because they've got local designers that you can't get outside Argentina; I understand this is because import tariffs are so high.
Still, BA is a huge city with plenty of wealthy enough people to buy Apple products; this will just save them all those trips to the USA and provide local service.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jetison Avatar
100 months ago
I love shopping in BA and partly this is because they've got local designers that you can't get outside Argentina; I understand this is because import tariffs are so high.
Still, BA is a huge city with plenty of wealthy enough people to buy Apple products; this will just save them all those trips to the USA and provide local service.
We're used to have to buy Apple products abroad and that probably won't change since prices will still be high compared to the US. Official service is something I've dreamt for years. There are a few Premium Resellers, but if you bring a device purchased somewhere else they won't accept it for repair. And if they do, expect a 3-4 month delay to get the parts into the country.

Also, the import tariff removal doesn't include phones, so the iPhone is something we might not see afterall. Mobile phones have to be assembled in the country, and Apple is not really interested in doing that. We're not India.
There's been times I've had to fly to the US and back during a weekend just for an iPhone swap.
We don't even have carrier bundle support, it's pretty sad. It's a nightmare when iMessage stops activating, no visual voicemail, no native wifi calls, nada.

Regarding Fravega, it's a messy retail chain with lousy sellers. Unless they train them to sell Apple products, I'm not seeing it as a success.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dan110 Avatar
92 months ago
LOL. That $1,000 iPhone X is going to cost $2,000 when socialist Argentina puts all their duties and taxes on it.
[doublepost=1507736848][/doublepost]
Nice for Buenos Aires.

I worked for Apple Aventura for many years... the store's staff unilaterally found Argentineans in most cases to be very difficult, elitist customers that were challenging to serve. Most especially the Argentineans who worked for the store. They wouldn't even give my buddy the time of day because she was Cuban.

In part this is because being able to afford travel to the US and buy Apple products naturally means that individual is in the 1% elite of their country, but these folks were never shy to let people know it. Humility is not what comes to mind from that group, Argentineans themselves know it.
I've had the same experience with the few I've met. They remind of the Russians as well. I just have to laugh.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
100 months ago
Apple could ship directly from China to Argentina.
The only problem is going through Customs without being robbed both illegally and then legally (import tax).

Hopefully people in Argentina will be able to purchase an Apple device without having to travel to the U.S.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RJ_Online93 Avatar
100 months ago
How about Auckland, New Zealand Apple?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Coming to These U.S. States Next

Wednesday October 23, 2024 1:41 pm PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Below, we outline which U.S. states offer the feature, and additional states that have committed to rolling it out in the feature in...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 Mass Production Timeframe Revealed as Launch Gets Closer

Wednesday October 23, 2024 9:38 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin mass production of the fourth-generation iPhone SE in December, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a blog post. The fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to have a similar design as the base iPhone 14, with rumored features including a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a newer A-series chip, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, 8GB of RAM...
m3 mbp space black

What to Expect From Apple's 'Exciting Week of Announcements'

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:36 am PDT by
Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak today teased that the company has an "exciting week of announcements" planned next week. Joswiak said to "Mac" your calendars, and the post includes an animated icon for the Finder app on the Mac, so it is clear that at least some of next week's announcements will be related to the Mac. Subscribe to MacRumors on YouTube for more videos! Below, we have...
apple oct 2024 mac tease

Apple Teases M4 Mac Announcements Next Week

Thursday October 24, 2024 9:19 am PDT by
Apple's Greg Joswiak today made it clear that Apple plans to reveal new products next week, teasing refreshed Macs. In a social media post, Joswiak said to "Mac your calendars" because there's an exciting week of announcements that start on Monday morning. With Joswiak's announcement, it appears that there will not be a dedicated October event for Macs this year, with Apple instead...
apple watch 10 halloween

Apple Watch Series 10 Drops to New Record Low Prices on Amazon

Thursday October 24, 2024 7:01 am PDT by
Amazon today has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for the new all-time low price of $366.28, down from $399.00. This sale is only available in the Rose Gold Aluminum model, and Amazon provides an expected delivery date of October 28 for most United States residences. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Here Are All the New Features Coming to macOS Sequoia Next Week

Friday October 25, 2024 7:45 am PDT by
On October 28, Apple is expected to release macOS Sequoia‌ 15.1, bringing to Macs the first Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools, new Siri features, Smart Replies, and more. In addition, macOS 15.1 adds a handful of welcome tweaks and improvements to existing Mac capabilities. Here's what we can expect from the first major update to macOS Sequoia later this month. Note that...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware Ahead of Hearing Aid Feature Launch

Thursday October 24, 2024 11:43 am PDT by
Apple today released a new firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, with the software available for both the USB-C and Lightning models. The AirPods Pro 2 firmware has a build number of 7B19, up from the 7A305 firmware released in September. The new AirPods Pro 2 firmware comes just ahead of when Apple plans to launch Hearing Health features in iOS 18.1. Hearing Health includes a hearing test...
M4 Mac mini Silver Perspective

5 Reasons to Get Excited About the New Mac Mini

Wednesday October 23, 2024 6:55 am PDT by
Apple's Mac mini has long been a powerhouse in a compact form, offering impressive performance in a small package. With rumors swirling about a completely overhauled new model that is likely just days away from being announced, anticipation is building for what Apple has in store. From enhanced connectivity to major hardware upgrades, the upcoming Mac mini promises to bring significant...