The benefits of official iPhones vs. grey market ones in 2021 are clear thanks to excellent policies and discounts. Why hesitate?

When considering a quality iPhone, consumers debate between official and grey market options. Both sources offer advantages, but the distinction and the better choice between an official and a grey market iPhone still puzzle many.

Grey market iPhones are bought abroad and unofficially imported into Vietnam for consumer use. In contrast, official iPhones are distributed by authorized third parties like The Gioi Di Dong, sourced directly from the manufacturer.

Let's dive into the top 5 differences between these iPhone categories.

Warranty Policies

Previously, Apple provided a global warranty for its products. However, since late July 2019, they've tightened this policy, making it more challenging for grey market items.

Now, to claim a warranty, users need to present a purchase invoice from an APR/ARR (Apple Premium Resellers/Apple Authorized Resellers). Without this invoice, warranty service is denied.

Even with all necessary documentation, warranty service for your iPhone might take a considerable time (sometimes a month) because it needs to be sent overseas for repairs if not accepted by the local authorized service.

This significant difference and drawback greatly impacts customers using grey market iPhones. Many opt for third-party repairs, which can be minimally effective, except for models like the iPhone 12.

Apple has stated that iPhones will not function properly unless serviced by an authorized center, and this has proven to be true.

Videos showing skilled technicians swapping camera modules or other parts between iPhone 12 units demonstrate that no matter the level of care and professionalism, they fail to work until returned to their original state.

Apple's strategic move aims to combat the widespread issue of grey market sales globally, particularly in Vietnam.

Recently, Apple revised its warranty policy in Vietnam. Now, devices are eligible for inspection and part replacement in case of malfunction, moving away from the previous one-to-one replacement model, making direct swaps more challenging.

However, The Gioi Di Dong's immediate 'like-for-like' exchange policy offers maximum convenience, allowing for direct replacements of defective products (same model, capacity, color) and equivalent exchanges for accessories.

This policy ensures a swift return and exchange process without cumbersome paperwork, minimizing wait times during component replacement. For more information, please refer to their policy.

Price Difference

The primary motivation for purchasing grey market iPhones is often cost savings. Despite initially higher prices at launch, grey market prices typically decrease significantly, saving buyers 1 to 4 million VND compared to official retailer prices.

It's undeniable that such savings present a great deal, allowing consumers to allocate the difference towards additional products like AirPods or an Apple Watch.

While low prices are advantageous, unstable supply can be a hindrance. This includes stock shortages due to Covid-19 and price hikes by traders.

The price gap between grey market and official iPhones has decreased, especially with the introduction of promotional policies and taxes on grey market goods, making official purchases more appealing for peace of mind.

Time to Ownership from Apple's Official Launch Date

Vietnamese users typically wait 1 to 2 months to access the latest official Apple products, giving grey market iPhones a notable advantage.

Vietnamese traders often line up at Apple Stores abroad, especially in Singapore, to acquire and bring the newest iPhone models back to Vietnam. This allows users to adopt new technology or flaunt their status without the wait.

The situation with the iPhone 12 was different. As previously mentioned, aside from potentially lower grey market prices, the iPhone 12 arrived in Vietnam much sooner, significantly narrowing the gap with grey market offerings. The price difference was negligible, and market prices were more stable, avoiding the initial high costs often seen with new iPhone releases.

Quality Reliability and Security Concerns

Due to the lack of official invoices and documentation, grey market iPhones come with significant risks related to both device quality and data security.

While you might get lucky, encountering dishonest sellers could cost you more than just the initial savings, leading to minor issues or, in extreme cases, rendering your iPhone useless.

With Apple tightening its warranty policy, purchasing grey market iPhones becomes less appealing. What happens if it breaks? Reselling is also difficult due to the associated risks.

Furthermore, there's a risk of hackers installing malicious hardware and software to steal user data. A detailed article on this subject is available here.

The Fine Line Between Grey Market and Smuggling, Tax Evasion

Vietnamese law isn't very strict on this matter yet. However, it's clear that grey market purchases contribute to tax revenue losses for the state, negatively affecting the country's economy.

iPhones are just one of many items brought back by traders from abroad. While it might seem a broad statement, purchasing official iPhones actually contributes to national development.

These are the key differences between official and grey market iPhones. Do you agree with these points? Feel free to leave your feedback and comments below.

Exclusive Offers Only for Official iPhones

In June 2021, any new or used iPhone purchased at The Gioi Di Dong will receive a 50% discount on two special Vinaphone packages, VINA350 and VINA500.

The VINA500 package offers up to 8GB/day, free on-network calls under 50 minutes, 400 minutes off-network, with a 13-month validity, priced at 3 million VND after discount.

For more details, please refer to this link.

Additionally, enjoy a 50% discount on a 6-month accident protection insurance when purchasing an iPhone. This offers attractive compensation and quick claims processing, relieving concerns over repair costs for accidental damage, especially valuable for an expensive product like the iPhone. (see details)

BUY OFFICIAL IPHONES AT GREAT PRICES

See Also:

• How to record video with multiple cameras simultaneously on an iPhone
• Get the premium iPhone 12 Pro now at a shocking million-dollar discount