Income Inequality Revealed: Purchase an Apple iPhone 17 Pro in the US After Only 4 Days of Work, Compared to 160 Days in India

The Stark Reality of Global Income Disparity: A Look at the iPhone 17 Pro

Income inequality continues to be a defining characteristic of capitalism, yet the magnitude of this disparity on a global scale is nothing short of alarming. One compelling illustration of this phenomenon can be found in the pricing and affordability of Apple’s latest smartphone, the iPhone 17 Pro.

Working days needed to buy the new iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB):🇱🇺 Luxembourg: 3🇨🇭 Switzerland: 3🇺🇸 United States: 4🇧🇪 Belgium: 4🇩🇰 Denmark: 4🇳🇱 Netherlands: 4🇳🇴 Norway: 4🇦🇺 Australia: 5🇦🇹 Austria: 5🇫🇮 Finland: 5🇮🇪 Ireland: 5🇩🇪 Germany: 5🇨🇦 Canada: 5🇫🇷 France: 6🇸🇪…

— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) September 13, 2025

The World of Statistics recently published an insightful overview titled the iPhone Affordability Index, utilizing the newly launched iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB), priced at $1, 099, as a reference point. This index provides a calculation of the number of 8-hour workdays necessary to purchase the iPhone based on average hourly wages in various countries.

This data reveals a striking contrast in affordability. For instance, in Luxembourg and Switzerland, a mere three 8-hour workdays, equivalently 24 hours of labor, are required to buy the iPhone 17 Pro. Meanwhile, in the United States, the task demands a slightly greater commitment of four working days, or 32 hours.

Looking at the broader picture, most G20 nations maintain an iPhone Affordability Index of below 50 working days, which corresponds to around 400 hours of labor. However, India stands out as a significant outlier, where the purchase of an iPhone 17 Pro demands an extraordinary 160 working days, translating to 1, 280 work hours.

This disparity in affordability aligns with India’s low median monthly salary, reported at approximately 27, 300 INR ($310).Calculating this based on four standard 40-hour work weeks, it results in an average hourly wage of only 171 INR, or nearly $2.

Recognizing these challenges, Apple has adapted its product offerings in the Indian market by launching more affordable variants, such as the iPhone 16e. As of Q2 2025, Apple ranked sixth in the Indian smartphone market, with cumulative smartphone shipments reaching 39 million units during that quarter, marking a year-over-year growth of 7 percent.

The analysis provided by the iPhone Affordability Index starkly illustrates the growing income disparity across different regions. It serves as a reminder that while technology advances, the economic divide remains a critical issue demanding attention and action.

Source & Images