Apple Shoppers Are Panic-Buying iPhones as Tariffs Hit, Report Says

The fear of soaring iPhone prices as a result of US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs is driving some customers to make purchases now. Apple store employees saw an uptick in foot traffic over the weekend amid growing concerns that iPhone prices could rise steeply after new tariffs are imposed, Bloomberg reported this week. 

iPhones, which account for the majority of Apple’s revenue, are manufactured in China, a country now facing tariffs of up to 125%.

One employee told Bloomberg the surge felt like the holiday shopping season. Although many customers reportedly asked about potential price hikes, the company has not provided store employees with guidance on how to respond to those inquiries.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

The company’s valuation fell by more than half a trillion dollars late last week, marking its worst performance over that time span in more than two decades.

Panic-buying could boost short-term sales for the iPhone-maker, but the greater impact of tariffs won’t be felt until the following quarter.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has been stockpiling inventory to brace for the tariffs and is accelerating production shifts to India, where tax rates are lower. The Times of India reports that Apple transported five plane loads of iPhones from India and China to the US in the last week of March as part of this effort to maintain stable pricing.

Apple also manufactures some of its products in other countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Ireland.

Price could ‘more than double’

David McQueen, director at market research firm ABI Research, said it makes sense that shoppers are upgrading early or clearing out existing inventory, not only because of the upcoming  tariffs, but because of what could happen next.

China’s retaliatory tariffs this week triggered the U.S. to impose an additional 125% tariff specifically on Chinese goods starting Wednesday.

“That kind of duty could more than double the price of nearly all Apple products in the US, since over 95% of them are still made and assembled in China, according to Tim Cook last October,” he said.