Apple Begins Assembling iPhone 15 in Brazil

Apple has started assembling the iPhone 15 model in Brazil, shifting in its global manufacturing approach to mitigate high import taxes and diversify its supply chain.

iPhone 15 Colors black
As reported by MacMagazine (via 9to5Mac), the assembly process is being carried out at the Foxconn facility in São Paulo and seeks to reduce the high import fees levied on electronics in Brazil, which significantly inflate the cost of electronics for consumers in the country.

Apple has not yet reduced the retail price of the ‌iPhone 15‌ in Brazil, where it continues to sell for R$7,300 (approximately $1,460) for the 128GB model. This price is nearly double the device's starting price in the United States. The initiative also is part of Apple's broader strategy to diversify its manufacturing footprint beyond China and reduce its reliance on a single region.

Only the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 15‌ model is being assembled in Brazil. The ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models continue to be imported from China. Brazilian customers can identify whether their ‌iPhone 15‌ was assembled locally by checking the model number, with units produced in Brazil carrying the identifier "BR/A." In contrast, imported units are denoted by "BE/A" and "BZ/A."

Related Roundup: iPhone 15
Tag: Brazil
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

trusso Avatar
9 months ago

Brazil is a lost place, unfortunately. As almost all of South America except Chili.
I think you mean Chile. Unless we're talking about the food.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
9 months ago

with units produced in Brazil carrying the identifier "BR/A."
They should manufacture the AirPods Max carrying case in Brazil.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StoneJack Avatar
9 months ago

I think you mean Chile. Unless we're talking about the food.
Sure. Sorry, was waiting for food delivery.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Brandon42 Avatar
9 months ago

I don’t understand why Apple charges $1400 for an $800 phone in Brazil.
Import duties. Apple is presumably paying about $600 in import duty tax to Brazil.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
YourBoss Avatar
9 months ago

In Brazil showing an iPhone in public makes you a prime target for robbery. Foreign tourists are even advised to "look poor" to avoid getting robbed. And poor means poor even by Brazilian standards. So you should basically look like a homeless person.
Well, all this xenophobia just showed how much you don't know about Brazil. Robbery exists anywhere in the world. Of course, here in Brazil some more touristy places are more targeted by criminals, as is also the case with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Return Zero Avatar
9 months ago
Let's see... Brazil, India, China. Now they just need Russia and South Africa to get the full BRICS production diversification. I'd love to see them do more assembly in countries that aren't quite as hostile to the US economy and dollar.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)