How much could an iPhone cost in Russia now, if, of course, the ruble had not fallen?

The dollar exchange rate in Russia rose above 100 rubles for the second time in history, and Apple prices soared again.

It became interesting to imagine what the shop windows would have looked like if inflation had stopped in 2007.

And then To be honest, I compared how many iPhones could be bought with a salary in 2007 and 2024. The results were surprising.

For comparison, we had to rely on more dynamic data than on a similar topic two years ago.

The euro has also fallen in price over 14 years. For correct prices, I did a double conversion

Since there are no authorized supplies from Apple in Russia, it would not be entirely fair to take restoration prices and translate them based on the level. This is not an official price tag that you can rely on 100%. You can find an iPhone cheaper.

For example, an iPhone 16 Pro 128 GB costs 159,990 rubles when restored; in Yandex Market, an average of 125,000 rubles with an additional offer for 109,000 rubles.

I decided to rely on the German Apple Store, where, when converted to euros, the average price is 130,000 rubles for this model.

For an accurate translation, I took the price in euros, adjusted it taking into account the exchange rate (-30.7%) and converted it into rubles in June 2007 (34 rubles 70 kopecks), when the first iPhone was launched.

Example:

1. iPhone 16 Pro 128 GB costs in 2024 1199 €

2. In 2007 this would be equal 831 €

3. In rubles in 2007 it would have been 28,922 ₽ (→ 125,000 ₽).

Next, in brackets with an arrow “→” I indicate the price for Yandex Market in Russia in 2024.

iPhone 16 is cheaper than AirPods Pro

Apple shows great restraint in iPhone pricing.

The price of components increases every year, but since 2017 Apple has not raised the price of its flagship in dollars, and since 2020 for all other models.

For example, the iPhone 16 Pro costs $999 like the iPhone X, the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs $1,199 like the iPhone XS Max (in the same storage), and the iPhone 16 still starts at $829 like the iPhone 12. In Germany, prices increased by 50 euros with exchange rate adjustment . relative to the dollar.

▹ iPhone SE 3 64 GB: 12,800 ₽ (→ 35,000 ₽)
▹ iPhone 14 128 GB: 17,580 ₽ (→ 65,000 ₽)
▹ iPhone 15 128 GB: 20,500 ₽ (→ 77,000 ₽)

▹ iPhone 16 128 GB: 22,900 ₽ (→ 90,000 ₽)
▹ iPhone 16 Plus 128 GB: 26,500 ₽ (→ 98,000 ₽)

▹ iPhone 16 Pro 128 GB: 28,900 ₽ (→ 122,000 ₽)
▹ iPhone 16 Pro Max 256 GB: 35,000 ₽ (→ 135,000 ₽)

The most expensive iPhone 16 Pro Max with 1 TB storage costs 1,949 euros in Germany, an average of 185,000 rubles on Yandex Market, and in 2007 it would have cost 35,000 rubles.

But don’t think that everything was so simple.

17 years ago, the nominal average salary of a Russian was 13,593 rubles, judging by Rosstat data. The median was approximately 8,000 rubles (there are no exact data). To buy an iPhone 16, you would have to work (and not spend) 2.8 months, and for the iPhone 16 Pro Max it’s already 4.4 months. Of course, if you put it all aside.

MacBooks are cheaper now than they were 14 years ago.

Taking into account the measurement, the MacBook Air 13 M2, the most affordable one now in the Apple Store, would not cost 1199 euros, but only 830 euros. In 2007 it was 29,000 rubles. There have never been such prices.

That year, the basic 13-inch MacBook Core 2 Duo with 1 GB of RAM and 80 GB HDD starts at 1,049 euros or 36,577 rubles. At that time, this was 4.5 salaries in Russia.

▹ MacBook Air 13 M2: 29,000 ₽ (→ 86,000 ₽)
▹ MacBook Air 13 M3: 31,400 ₽ (→ 103,000 ₽)
▹ MacBook Air 15 M3: 38,600 ₽ (→ 131,000 ₽)

▹ MacBook Pro 14 M4: 45,900 ₽ (→ 235,000 ₽)
▹ MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro: 58,000 ₽ (→ 270,000 ₽)
▹ MacBook Pro 14 M4 Max: 91,800 ₽ (→ 424,000 ₽)

▹ MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro: 70,000 ₽ (→ 391,000 ₽)
▹ MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max: 99,000 ₽ (→ 485,000 ₽)

▹ Mac mini M4: 16,900 ₽ (→ 109,000 ₽)
▹ Mac Studio M2 Max: 58,000 ₽ (→ 276,000 ₽)
▹ Mac Pro M2 Ultra: 200,500 ₽ (→ 1,000,000 ₽)

On the other hand, Apple has slightly raised the upper end of the price of laptops. In 2007, the most expensive MacBook Pro 17″ started at 2699 euros, now this part would be equal to 3894 euros, which is less than 205 euros than now for the MacBook Pro M4 Max (review of the version with the M4 Pro chip).

There was no category for iPad back then, but with its release in 2010, everything changed even more.

If the iPad had come out in 2007, it would have cost the same as the iPad Air and M2.

The first iPad was released in 2010 at a price of 499 euros. This value is now 683, which is almost exactly the price of the iPad Air 11 with M2 processor, which starts at 699 euros.

▹ iPad A16: 9650 ₽ (→ 36,000 ₽)
▹ iPad mini A17 Pro: 14,500 ₽ (→ 54,000 ₽)

▹ iPad Air 11 M2: 16,900 ₽ (→ 69,000 ₽)
▹ iPad Air 13 M2: 22,900 ₽ (→ 80,000 ₽)

▹ iPad Pro 11 M4: 29,000 ₽ (→ 110,000 ₽)
▹ iPad Pro 13 M4: 37,400 ₽ (→ 135,000 ₽)

▹ Apple Pencil Pro: 3600 ₽ (→ 14 600 ₽)
▹ Apple Pencil USB-C: 2150 ₽ (→ 8200 ₽)

If the original iPad were released now, taking into account the exchange rate in rubles, it would cost 74,200 rubles. Considering that compared to the current generation it would be a dud, the progress in 14 years is incredible.

Prices for AirPods and Apple Watch look like pennies

Apple headphones and watches did not exist 17 years ago. Let’s imagine a showcase.

▹ AirPods 4: 3600 ₽ (→ 14 500 ₽)
▹ AirPods 4 with noise reduction: 4,800 ₽ (→ 20,000 ₽)

▹ AirPods Pro 2: 6,740 ₽ (→ 23,000 ₽)
▹ AirPods Max: 14,000 ₽ (→ 50,000 ₽)

▹ Apple Watch SE 2: 6,000 ₽ (→ 24,000 ₽)
▹ Apple Watch Series 10: 10,800 ₽ (→ 45,000 ₽)
▹ Apple Watch Ultra 2: 21,700 ₽ (→ 94,000 ₽)

▹ AirTag: 940 ₽ (→ 3500 ₽)

Taking into account the dynamics, prices look ridiculous. But here we can take a closer look at how this relates to reality.

So, with an average salary in Russia of 8,000 rubles in 2007, you would need to earn 0.45 months on regular AirPods 4; on AirPods Pro 2 approximately 0.85 months; Apple Watch Series 10 is already 1.35 months old; and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is already 2.71 months old.

In 2024, the average salary in Russia will be 65,000 rubles. This allows you to earn money on AirPods 4 in 0.22 months; on AirPods Pro 2 approximately 0.35 months; Apple Watch Series 10 is already 0.7 months old; and on Apple Watch Ultra 2 about 1.44 months.

Although it seems like everything costs a lot more now, Apple technology has actually become more affordable. Let’s look at this condition and then draw conclusions from our experiment.

Apple Vision Pro would cost all kinds of money for Russia

Apple’s “spatial computer” did not return to 2007. When the company launched the iPhone, it initially set a high but manageable price, especially with a contract.

Apple Vision Pro is more like Apple Lisa. It was the first mass-produced computer in history with a graphical interface and the first mouse, which set the vector for all modern PCs. At launch it cost $9,995… before modification. Now Apple would ask $30,000 or 3,100,000 rubles for it, which is eight times more expensive than an augmented reality helmet.

But even looking at the price as if it were in 2007 is unsettling.

▹ Apple Vision Pro: 96,600 ₽ (→ 379,000 ₽)

▹ Battery: 5300 ₽ (→ 37 200 ₽)

It is likely that in 2024 you will be much more likely to survive wearing a helmet than in 2007.

Now in Russia he needs to work for 5.8 months, but 14 years ago he had to spend a whole year. Of course, if you save your entire salary.

The iPhone has become no worse, but more accessible. Real wages increased slightly

Over the past 17 years, we have gone through three waves of the ruble falling against the dollar: in 2009 (23→30), in 2014 (32→65) and in 2022 to 2024 (65→103).

But Apple applies a complex pricing policy, it is different for categories.

Judging by the results, over 14 years, taking into account the changes, the most affordable MacBook has become cheaper by about 33,000 rubles (it was 1,500 euros, now 1,199).

Since the release of one model, the iPad line has turned into a whole range of 6 models, and the iPad Air 11 (M2) is now sold at the price of the original, while the cheapest costs 34,000 rubles less, and the most expensive is 66,000 rubles more expensive than the price . first iPad.

Photos from our iPhone 16 Pro review

The situation is the same with iPhone.

The unlocked model was sold in France for 649 euros, which, taking into account the exchange rate, is equal to 936 euros in 2024 or 101,000 rubles. This is the price of the iPhone 16 in Europe, as well as the price of the iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 15 Pro in Russia.

At the same time, there is a more affordable iPhone 16 for 11,000 rubles and the most expensive iPhone 16 Pro Max with a difference of 34,000 rubles.

As a result, it turns out that Small prices only look small because of the deduction. Apple equipment has become easier to buy over the past 14 years, if you look at the raw numbers and the difference in average salaries then and now.

Availability has not increased much, yes. But now, for the sake of a new iPhone, you can work several weeks less, even a dollar more than a hundred rubles.

📸 All photos in the article: