Apple Now Selling Brazilian-Made iPhone 4, But Pricing Remains High

Friday February 24, 2012 10:20 am PST by Eric Slivka

Foxconn's efforts to bring iPhone and iPad production to Brazil have seen significant attention in recent months, with the move being part of a strategy to diversify manufacturing locations and make the devices more affordable in the world's fifth most populous country by eliminating high import taxes. While much of the focus has been on getting iPad production up and running in Brazil, the company has already been working on iPhone production there, with an 8 GB iPhone 4 having leaked in late November.

The iPhone 4S and 8 GB iPhone 4 debuted in Brazil in mid-December, but early models were manufactured in China and carried very high pricing with the iPhone 4S starting at the equivalent of over $1400. With exchange rate fluctuations that figure is now over $1500, while the cheaper 8 GB iPhone 4 still comes in at a hefty $1050. The unlocked iPhone 4 is priced at $549 in the United States.

As noted by Meio Bit [Google translation], Apple has indeed begun selling the Brazilian-made 8 GB iPhone 4 through its online store in that country, as evidenced by manufacturing information on the box and the phone itself.

8gb iphone 4 brazil box
Apple's online store is also now referring to the black and white models as MD128BR/A and MD198BR/A respectively, with the MD198BR number having been seen on the previously-leaked iPhone 4 from Brazil. The Chinese-made 8 GB iPhone 4 had originally launched in Brazil with MD128BZ/A and MD198BZ/A model numbers. It is not clear exactly when Apple made the transition to selling Brazilian-manufactured iPhone 4 units, but it appears to have been at least several weeks ago.

But while Apple has now transitioned to selling domestically-manufactured iPhone 4 units in Brazil, pricing has yet to come down. It is unclear whether Apple and Foxconn have yet to meet all requirements or receive certification from the Brazilian government that would make the devices exempt from the hefty import taxes or if there are other factors in play.

Notably, the iPhone 4S does not yet appear to be being manufactured in Brazil, with those devices continuing to carry "BZ" model numbers identifying them as manufactured in China for the Brazilian market. The same appears to be true of the iPhone 3GS, which is priced at the equivalent of $700. Consequently, any adjustment in pricing for the Brazilian-made iPhone 4 would create inconsistencies across the company's iPhone line there due to the significant difference in import taxes, but it is unclear how Apple and Foxconn are planning to deal with this issue.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

troop231

192 months ago

lol

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

you people smh

192 months ago

If I take it as read that we are talking USD here, then how on earth can the normal Brazlian ever afford an iPhone?

The elite, and the fortunate will remain the only ones who can purchase one. San Paulo is a beautiful, but notorious place for high crime etc. No go areas where ( I am going back a ways ) was told that if I showed my face in I WOULD be attacked, mugged or possibly killed.

I can't see how Apple can achieve widespread sales unless they can bring down those prices.

They can get one the same way they do here in america or over in britain.

Spend money they don't have on things they don't need to impress people they don't like.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

techfest

192 months ago

brazilian quality vs china quality

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

69650

192 months ago

I'm just curious, but what android smartphones are targeted at the "less fortunate?" they are roughly $200 a phone. Hell, right now you can get a free 3GS. The cost of any phone is a drop in the bucket. It's the $100/mo that gets you, and that isn't Apples doing.

You probably think the price of gas going up 50 cents a gallon is a national emergency too.

I also can't remember the last time I heard of someone being mugged for their phone. Maybe 3 years ago.

There is no such thing as a free iPhone - you either pay for it up front or you pay for it in instalments as part of your monthly contract. Either way you pay for it.

I agree with you - all smartphones are targeted at wealthier customers. The iPhone is not exceptional in that respect. It will be a few years before smartphones are for everyone as component costs come down.

I'm assuming you're in the US. The current price of petrol (gasoline) in the UK is approx £6.30 per gallon which is approx £10 dollars a gallon. I think you would complain if "gas" cost you $10 a gallon.

You must live in a nice area because every few weeks I read in the papers here or on websites like this of people being mugged for their iPhones. A few years ago it was people being mugged for their Nike trainers. It's not unique to Apple it's just whatever is the hot must have product at the time.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

50548

192 months ago

If I take it as read that we are talking USD here, then how on earth can the normal Brazlian ever afford an iPhone?

The elite, and the fortunate will remain the only ones who can purchase one. San Paulo is a beautiful, but notorious place for high crime etc. No go areas where ( I am going back a ways ) was told that if I showed my face in I WOULD be attacked, mugged or possibly killed.

I can't see how Apple can achieve widespread sales unless they can bring down those prices.

Please stop your ignorant ramblings. São Paulo has half the homicide rate of D.C. and 1/3 of places like Detroit, New Orleans or Philadelphia...as for Brazilians, there at least 50 million of them who are more than able to buy iPhones, don't worry about that.

Just before people think that I am lying:

São Paulo has a 9.8/100,000 homicide rate. New Orleans: 49; St. Louis, 40; Baltimore, 34; Detroit, 34; D.C., 22; Philadelphia, 19.6; Miami, 15.4; Chicago, 15; Dallas, 11.3; etc. Is this enough?

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)