Switzerland (4 Days) vs. Turkey (73 Days)—Where Does Your Country Rank?
The latest data reveals a staggering gap in purchasing power for Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro (128GB). While a Swiss worker can afford it in just 4 working days, someone in Turkey must toil for 73 days—the longest in the world.
Here’s how countries stack up, why the disparity exists, and what it says about global wages and tech affordability.
The Global iPhone 16 Pro Index: Work Days Required
(Ranked from fewest to most working days)
Switzerland
Avg. Daily Wage: $340
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,199
Work Days Needed: 4
USA
Avg. Daily Wage: $240
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,199
Work Days Needed: 5
Singapore
Avg. Daily Wage: $220
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,299
Work Days Needed: 6
Germany
Avg. Daily Wage: $190
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,299
Work Days Needed: 7
Japan
Avg. Daily Wage: $150
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,199
Work Days Needed: 8
UAE
Avg. Daily Wage: $140
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,199
Work Days Needed: 9
China
Avg. Daily Wage: $50
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,199
Work Days Needed: 24
Brazil
Avg. Daily Wage: $30
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,599*
Work Days Needed: 53
Turkey
Avg. Daily Wage: $16
iPhone 16 Pro Price: $1,199
Work Days Needed: 73
Note: Prices vary by region due to taxes/import fees (e.g., Brazil's high tariffs).
Why Such Extreme Differences?
Wage Disparity
Swiss workers earn 20x more daily than Turkish workers.
Even in wealthy nations, tech affordability varies (e.g., Germans work 3 extra days vs. Americans due to higher iPhone prices in Europe).
Currency & Taxes
Emerging markets face weak currencies (e.g., Turkish lira’s 80% drop since 2018) and import taxes (Brazil adds ~60% to tech prices).
Apple’s Pricing Strategy
iPhones cost up to 30% more in countries like India and Brazil due to localization costs.
Key Takeaways
Purchasing power ≠ tech access: A phone is a luxury in some nations, a week’s work in others.
Globalization’s paradox: While tech connects the world, affordability gaps widen.
The “Apple Premium”: Apple products demand 2-3x more work days than Android flagships in most countries.
Where Do You Stand?
Calculate your own “iPhone Work Days”:
(iPhone Price ÷ Your Daily Wage) = Work Days Needed
Example:
Salary: $60/day → $1,199 iPhone → 20 work days.
Final Thought: A Symbol of Inequality?
The iPhone has become a benchmark for economic disparity. While some debate its necessity, the data underscores a harsh truth: For billions, even “basic” tech remains out of reach.
How many days would YOU need to work? Share your results below! 👇
