Flying to US to buy iPhone Duo saves Rs 30,000, claims viral post

Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, launched in India at a starting price of nearly Rs 3,00,000, prompting a viral social media claim that buying it in the US after a round-trip flight from Mumbai would still save Rs 30,000. The claim, posted by Ishan Sharma on X, cited a Rs 77,852 round-trip fare to New York and a US price of $1,999 for the 256GB model, with tax-free states like Oregon and Delaware making the total cost around Rs 2,70,000. The post sparked widespread debate online. Critics pointed out that the calculation omitted US taxes, visa fees, travel expenses, and wait times for B1/B2 visa appointments, with some suggesting buying from Dubai as a cheaper alternative.