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Smartphone enthusiasts in Argentina have been buzzing with excitement as the recent reduction in import tariffs for mobile phones begins to translate into significant savings. Local consumers are witnessing major brands like Motorola, Realme, Samsung, and even official Apple resellers slashing prices on their cutting-edge models. This move comes on the heels of the National Government’s decision to slash import tariffs from 16% to 8%, with a complete elimination planned by 2026. Additionally, there was a parallel reduction in internal taxes from 19% to 9.5%, directly impacting the final price of products.
The dual tax cut—both on tariffs and internal taxes—is reshaping the pricing landscape for smartphones after years of unattainable prices compared to neighboring regions. It is also a strategic step in combating the gray market that illegally imports such devices.
Realme took the lead by swiftly announcing discounts on its popular models post-tax cuts. The Realme Note series saw significant price drops, making high-performance smartphones more accessible to tech-savvy young consumers seeking both style and durability without breaking the bank.
Motorola, a dominant player in Argentina’s smartphone market, surprised customers with its latest generation of premium foldable phones at reduced prices following the partial tariff rollback. The Razr 60 Ultra and Edge 60 Pro models are now vying against Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series with competitive pricing thanks to the recent fiscal adjustments.
In response to these changes, industry giants like Samsung and Apple opted to absorb some cost reductions themselves rather than passing them entirely onto consumers due to existing stock imported under previous tax structures. Alejandro Goldín from maximstore noted that internal tax reductions have a more substantial impact than tariff adjustments but emphasized their commitment to offering competitive prices amidst evolving regulations.
Samsung echoed a similar sentiment by implementing an average price drop of 7.5% across its product range as a gesture of compliance with government directives. The price adjustments extend not only to premium models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra but also mid-range offerings such as Galaxy A56 and A36.
While several Chinese phone brands like Nubia, Infinix, Oppo, and Tecno have recently entered Argentina’s market scene alongside Xiaomi, they currently do not plan immediate price revisions for their existing models despite increasing competition pressure on established players like Motorola and Samsung.
As industry dynamics evolve post-duty reductions, Argentine consumers can look forward to more affordable options across various smartphone segments while manufacturers strive for competitiveness in this rapidly transforming landscape.
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