The iPhone XS is cheaper in KL than in Singapore

Apparently, it is cheaper to get the iPhone XS in Malaysia than in Singapore. This is from data gathered by the Deutsche Bank (DB) in its latest “Mapping the World’s Prices” report covering 56 cities around the globe.

The data was gathered from prices listed on the official Apple online stores in the respective countries. Where official online stores are unavailable, DB obtained prices from online retailers instead. The prices are for the 256GB version of the iPhone XS.

Overall, Malaysia is among the top 10 cheapest places where you can get the iPhone XS in the world. Interestingly, the cheapest place to buy the iPhone XS is in Nigeria, with the device costing US$1,178 or RM4,930 there.

In Malaysia, the report says the iPhone XS costs US$1,378 or RM5,767. It has to be pointed out the price of 256GB iPhone XS is RM5,699 or US$1.361 on the Malaysian Apple online store. I’m chalking up the variance between the price indicated in the report and the actual list price to fluctuations in conversion rates.

In comparison, in the US the phone retails at US$1,251. Similar prices are seen in Japan (US$1,256, ranked 38th), Hong Kong (US$1,262, 37th), Australia (US$1,317, 36th) and South Korea (US$1,361).

In other words, an iPhone XS in Malaysia is only about 10% more costly than at the official Apple stores in the U.S. but cheaper than neighbouring Singapore where a brand-new unit costs US$1,386.

And if you are a frequent traveller, you may want to be very careful with your iPhone when you bring it to these countries.

“Don’t lose or damage your iPhone on holiday in Brazil, Turkey, Argentina, India or Greece as iPhones are 25-65% more expensive than in the US — still the cheapest place to buy outside of Nigeria which we can’t quite explain,” the Deutsche Bank advised in its report.

The “Mapping the World’s Prices” produced by DB is in 8th edition. It is an annual survey of global prices and living standards from various countries and cities around the world. You can check out the full report here.

[via Malay Mail]