Mumbai: Top smartphone and computer manufacturers Apple and Asus have slashed prices of almost all existing models available in the Indian markets on the day the country entered into GST - 'One Country One Tax' era.
According to reports, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac line of computers across the board were available on cheaper rates when the markets opened today after the launch of GST on June 30 midnight.
All iPhone models have received a price cut, starting with Rs. 1,200 drop for the 32GB iPhone SE and going all the way up to a Rs. 6,600 reduction in MRP for the top-of-the-line iPhone 7 Plus 256GB variant.
Price cuts for iPad models range from Rs. 900 to Rs. 3,900, with the newly announced iPad Pro models also receiving a reduction, even before anyone's had a chance to buy them in the country, Gadget 360 reported Saturday.
Likewise, Asus also announced post-GST price cuts on some of its smartphones, with prices reduced by as much as Rs. 3,000 on some models.
The Ausus models which are reported to be selling at reduced prices are Asus ZenFone 3 (ZE552KL), ZenFone 3 (ZE520KL) and ZenFone 3 Max (ZC553KL).
Meanwhile, the government on Saturday decided to impose a 10 per cent basic customs duty on mobile phones imported into the country. The move is expected to help local phone manufacturer.
The levy is also applicable on parts like chargers, headsets, battery and USB cable, with immediate effect.
"The duty differential earlier was about 11.5 per cent in favour of local manufacturing. But with GST subsuming SAD and countervailing duties, that benefit was taken away.
"The 10 per cent customs duty will help push local manufacturing once again," Intex Chief Financial Officer and Director, Rajeev Jain told PTI.