While the price tag for a new iPhone can reach well over a thousand dollars, the actual cost to produce one might surprise you. Generally, manufacturing an iPhone costs around $160-$501.
The iPhone is one of the world’s most iconic and widely used smartphones and is among the top choices for tech enthusiasts. Thus, you will also need to pay a pretty hefty price tag for owning one. This can lead you to wonder how much does it exactly cost to make an iPhone?
So get ready to learn about the fascinating world of iPhone production and discover the actual cost of making these devices.
Contents
What Influences the Production Cost of iPhone?
The cost of producing an iPhone can vary depending on the model and the components used. Thus, to understand the production cost properly it is important to know about the different factors that influence the production cost of an iPhone.
For instance, making an iPhone 14 Pro Max with 128 GB of storage costs more than making an iPhone 6 with 64GB.
Components Cost
The component cost is one of the key factors affecting an iPhone’s overall production cost. These components include the processor, camera, display, battery, memory, and storage.
The performance and quality of these components changes with the newest iPhone models, which raises production costs.
For example, when compared to the price of LCD used in the iPhone 11, the price of the OLED display used in the iPhone 12 is greater.
In a similar manner, the A16 Bionic chip, which powers the iPhone 12, costs more than the A15 Bionic chip, which powers the iPhone 11.
Research and Development Cost
Apple makes significant investments in R&D
to enhance its products continuously. From January 1 to December 31, 2022, they invested $26.25B billion in research and development. And for March 31, 2023 the investment raised even more by $28.724B, which is an 18.78% increase from the previous year.
Each iPhone model incurs several hundred dollars in R&D expenditures, combined with component and labor costs to determine the final production cost.
New processor development is one of the main focuses of R&D for the iPhone. These processors’ designs require a considerable R&d investment and significantly raise the overall price of an iPhone.
Hopefully, you get the point why iPhones are so expensive, as these Research and development costs increase the overall production cost.
Labor Cost
Another significant element that affects production cost of an Iphone is the cost of labor. Apple produces its goods in a number of nations, including China, where labor costs are moderate.
The amount of labor required to produce an iPhone is significant, given the complexity of the manufacturing process, which involves numerous components and precision assembly.
However, labor costs can still increase due to the complex manufacturing process needed to make an iPhone.
How China Is Related to The Increase and Decrease the Cost
China is the biggest manufacturer for iPhone and hence it plays a significant role in the overall production cost. Most of the components for the iPhone like display, battery are sourced from China.
So, when the cost of these components increases due to factors such as supply and demand, market competition, or changes in global trade policies, it can increase the iPhone production cost. This will result in a significantly higher selling price for an iPhone.
Similarly, if the cost of these components decrease, the production cost of the iPhone will decrease. Hence, as a result Apple will be able to provide a lower retailing price for the iPhone.
Marketing and Supply
The costs of marketing and distribution have a significant role in the ultimate price of an iPhone. The company invests millions of dollars in marketing initiatives.
In addition to marketing expenses, distribution costs make up a sizable portion of costs. Worldwide, Apple has a vast array of retail locations and authorized distributors, all of which are expensive to operate.
So, the cost of marketing and distribution is factored into the overall production cost of an iPhone, which in turn affects the final price of the device.
How Much Does It Cost To Make An iPhone
The cost of producing an iPhone can vary depending on the model and the components used. For instance, making an iPhone 12 Pro Max with 128 GB of storage costs more than making an iPhone SE with 64GB.
The approximate production costs of a few of the most well-liked iPhone models there are listed below. As you can see, the cost of producing the newest iPhone models has increased.
| iPhone Model | Production Cost |
| iPhone SE | $160-$175 |
| iPhone 6s Plus | $236 |
| iPhone 11 | $327.15 |
| iPhone 12 | $415 |
| iPhone 13 pro max | $461 |
| iPhone 14 pro max 128 GB | $501 |
iPhone SE
The production cost of the iPhone SE is approximately between $160-$175. It uses an aluminum body but is less durable than the more expensive aluminum or glass used in other iPhone models.
In addition, the SE uses some parts that are less expensive than those found in other iPhone models, including the camera and processor, which reduces the overall manufacturing cost.
Also, the design of the SE is similar to that of the iPhone 5 and 5S, which were released several years ago. This means that the tooling and equipment used to manufacture these older models may still be in use, which reduces the cost of retooling and upgrading production facilities for the iPhone SE.
iPhone 6S plus
The iPhone 6s Plus was one of the most trendy and high-tech phones back in the time when it came out. The production cost was around $236, which is more than the SE.
This higher production cost was due to a few factors. First, the iPhone 6s Plus featured a larger and higher-resolution display than the iPhone SE, which adds to the cost.
Secondly, the iPhone 6s Plus was equipped with a more advanced camera system that included optical image stabilization that increases production cost.
The cost of the materials also aids to the higher manufacturing costs as it uses a more premium body construction, with an aluminum chassis
iPhone 11 & 12
iPhone 11 is one of the highest-selling phone models from Apple; it was compact, had a good camera, and had a nice overall design. The production cost is found to be approximately around $327.15.
A recent bill of materials analysis by CCounterpoint’scomponent research practice reveals that the production cost of the iPhone 12 is 21% higher than that of the iPhone 11
So, the cost of manufacturing the iPhone 12 is around $415. The iPhone 12’s switch from LCD to OLED is the primary cause of the price hike. Also, the price has grown due to components connected to 5G.
iPhone 13 & 14
According to GsmArena, the manufacturing cost of the iPhone 13 pro max is $461, whereas the cost of the 14 pro max is $501. Statistics from Counterpoint Research show that the iPhone 14 Pro Max takes Apple approximately 3.4% more to manufacture than the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The increase in cost is largely attributed to the introduction of the new 48MP back camera and the always-on display feature.
Apart from the other increasing production costs, Apple is spending approximately $11 more per unit on the A16 Bionic processor compared to the A15 Bionic chip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Having a proper idea about the production cost for an iPhone can help you understand the high retail price these phones come with. Our FAQs below will help you have a better idea about this topic more easily.
Why do newer iPhone models typically cost more to produce than older ones?
The cost of producing an iPhone depends on a number of variables, including component costs and manufacturing location. More recent iPhone models are equipped with more complex technologies, like higher-resolution screens, better cameras, and quicker CPUs. As a result of these factors, materials and production costs might increase.
How does the price of an iPhone change over time?
Several variables, including production costs, supply and demand, competition, user feedback, and market dynamics, can affect how much an iPhone costs over time. Apple adjusts prices accordingly based on these factors to maintain its profit margins, remain competitive, and address customer concerns.
How does the cost of making an iPhone compare to the retail price?
When setting the retail price for iPhones, Apple takes into consideration consumer demand and competition in the market. Hence, although the production cost of an iPhone is a crucial factor in its pricing, it’s only a fraction of the final retail price.
Does Apple produce all of its iPhones in one location?
Even though the components could come from all over the world, only Foxconn and Pegatron, both of which are located in Taiwan, are in charge of assembling everything. The biggest facility for Foxconn is in China. Also, other South Asian nations, including Vietnam and India, produce iPhones.
Conclusion
Understanding the costs to manufacture an iPhone is a complex equation, taking into account factors like the cost of individual components, the price of labor, and the location of the manufacturing facility. Hence, the selling price of an iPhone is far from being related to production costs only.
Usually, the production cost is only a fraction of the retail price, and many other factors affect the overall selling price. Getting an exact value of the overall production cost is difficult as Apple doesn’t share these prices with the customers.
The price we have given is an approximation that is collected by deep research from trusted sources.