Indonesia announces 'unleashing' date for iPhone 16

According to WCCF Tech , after months of being suspended from selling in the Indonesian market, Apple's iPhone 16 product line will officially be allowed to return to this Southeast Asian country starting April 11. The decision to lift the ban was made after Apple announced a plan to invest more than $300 million in Indonesia, resolving long-standing issues with the country's government.

iPhone 16 series is about to return to Indonesia after months of sales ban

PHOTO: GADGETMATCH SCREENSHOT

Apple 'successfully poured money' to put iPhone 16 back on sale

The ban on the sale of iPhone 16 was imposed by Indonesian authorities from October 2024. The main reason is that Apple is said to not fully meet the requirements of the required Local Content Ratio (TKDN - Tingkat Komponen Dalam Negeri) for smartphone products sold in this market.

It is worth noting that previously, the iPhone 16 line was certified by the Indonesian Ministry of Industry to have a TKDN ratio of 40%, higher than the basic requirement of 35%. This led to months of tense negotiations between the US technology giant and the Indonesian government.

The Indonesian government's green light for the iPhone 16 is seen as a direct result of Apple's strong investment commitments. According to the announcement on March 26, Apple will implement a plan to invest more than $300 million in Indonesia. This investment includes the establishment of local research and development (R&D) centers and the implementation of training programs to develop Indonesian technology talent, meeting one of the key requirements of the government of this country.

In addition to R&D, Apple has also committed to expanding its manufacturing operations in Indonesia. However, the company will initially focus on manufacturing accessories. Specifically, AirTag tracking devices will be manufactured at a factory on Batam Island, operated by partner Luxshare Precision Industry. AirTag output from this factory is expected to account for 20% of total global output. In addition, Apple also plans to build another facility in Bandung to produce other types of accessories.

Notably, Apple has yet to announce plans to assemble its flagship iPhone in Indonesia. If this does not change, Apple could become the only major smartphone company in the market without direct local iPhone production.

The months-long ban is said to have cost Apple hundreds of millions of dollars in potential revenue in the world’s fourth most populous market (about 280 million people). The resumption of iPhone 16 sales from April 11 marks the end of a period of “unhappy rice, unsweetened soup” between Apple and the Indonesian government.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/indonesia-cong-bo-ngay-coi-troi-cho-iphone-16-185250327221857386.htm