The iPhone 12 does not cost $799 as advertised in the US, it costs $30 more

According to the Apple website, the iPhone 12 actually costs $829, instead of the $799 as advertised. And here’s why it does.

This image provided by Apple shows models of new iPhones, along with the iPhone 11 at center, showing prices, which Apple unveiled Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. The iPhone models unveiled will launch at different times. The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro will be available starting Oct. 23; the Mini and the Pro Max will follow on Nov. 13. (Apple via AP) (AP)

In what 9to5Mac called an ‘incredibly sneaky move', it looks like the new Apple iPhone 12 actually does not cost $799 in the US as advertised. According to the Apple website, the price for the SIM-free iPhone 12 is actually $829 and not $799. Likewise, the Apple iPhone 12 mini SIM-free costs $729 and not $699 as announced by Apple at the Hi, Speed event last evening.

The prices that Apple revealed include a $30 carrier discount which can only be availed in Verizon and AT&T plans in the US. So, if you are looking to buy a SIM-free, unlocked iPhone 12 or planning to buy one through T-Mobile or Sprint, you will be paying $829 for the iPhone 12 and $729 for the iPhone 12 mini.

Only customers in the US can avail of this ‘discounted' price if they are buying the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini through AT&T and Verizon. This obviously means that international buyers outside the US will have to pay higher prices for these devices since these carrier special offers are not being offered elsewhere.

Apple has addressed this “somewhat deceptive pricing strategy” in its press release by stating that the headline prices include $30 AT&T and Verizon discount.

However, it looks like the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are priced normally, and retail for $999 or $1099. No special discounts here.

With these ‘discounts' accounted for, 9to5Mac points out that the base cost of the iPhone has gone up by $130 this year as compared to the other years. In 2019, you could buy the iPhone 11 for $699. This year you get the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 for $829. The cheaper option this year is the iPhone 12 mini which you can get at the $699/$729 price point - but it comes with a much smaller 5.4-inch screen.

However, given that the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 mini both feature OLED displays, essentially the price of the OLED iPhone has fallen by $170 since OLED screens were earlier reserved for the iPhone Pro models.