Apple Announces iPhone 16 Launch in Indonesia for April 11 Following Ban Resolution

Apple has announced that the iPhone 16 lineup will officially launch in Indonesia on April 11, 2025, following a sales ban in the Southeast Asian country. The decision follows a significant investment deal between Apple and the Indonesian government, resolving a dispute over local manufacturing requirements that blocked the iPhone 16's availability since its global release last September.

The ban began in October 2024 when Indonesia restricted iPhone 16 sales for failing to meet the country's local-content rules, known as TKDN. These regulations require that at least 40% of smartphone components sold domestically be produced locally. With only one supplier in Indonesia, Yageo Corp, providing basic electronic parts, Apple struggled to comply. The company's modest market share—2.3 million phones sold in 2023, just 1% of its global unit sales—further complicated its position.

Negotiations between Apple and Indonesian officials stretched over several months. Initial offers of $10 million and $100 million in investments were rejected as insufficient. A subsequent $1 billion proposal, which included plans for an AirTag factory in Batam, a components facility in Bandung, and expanded developer training, also faltered. Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita dismissed it in January, insisting on stricter adherence to local production demands. On February 26, 2025, a $320 million deal was finalized, securing the iPhone 16's return.


Under the agreement, Apple will establish a factory in Batam to produce AirTags and another in Bandung to manufacture mesh fabric for its over-ear headphones. The company will also invest in its developer-training programs across Indonesia. Half of the $320 million commitment includes a $160 million cash investment, though specifics remain vague. This deal, while scaled back from the earlier $1 billion figure, satisfied regulators enough to lift the ban.

The iPhone 16 series, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 16e, has now cleared all regulatory hurdles. It passed Indonesia's telecommunications equipment certification and earned the required TKDN certification from the Ministry of Industry. Starting April 11, these devices will be available to Indonesia's 280 million residents, a key market in Southeast Asia.

Apple's announcement focuses solely on the launch details, avoiding mention of the prolonged negotiations or the ban's history. The company confirmed that all models will be available through official channels, ending a period where only personal imports—limited to non-commercial use—were permitted. For now, Apple has no plans to manufacture iPhones in Indonesia, maintaining its unique status as the only major brand allowed to sell imported smartphones without local production.

Notably, Apple has yet to unveil pricing for the iPhone 16 lineup in Indonesia, but it will likely be announced soon on the company's official product page.