Russia Opens Pre-Orders for iPhone 14 Without Apple's Approval
Despite mounting sanctions and Apple pulling out of the country several months ago, Russia has opened pre-orders for the iPhone 14.
As Reuters reports(Opens in a new window), Russian Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov was asked if Apple's new iPhone unveiled yesterday would be available to Russian consumers. He responded, "Why not? If consumers want to buy these phones, yes. There will be the opportunity."
Sure enough, pre-orders for the iPhone 14 appeared on Russian mobile network MTS this morning. The 128GB model is listed for 84,990 roubles ($1,398). However, MTS does warn that pre-orders may be canceled if it can't get stock and delivery could take up to 120 days.
Apple halted all online product sales in Russia back in March and simultaneously stopped all exports to the country. Russian retailers were left to sell any remaining stock they had which wouldn't get replenished by the company. However, the Russian government decided on a workaround.
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade introduced Resolution No. 506(Opens in a new window) on March 29, which allowed for so-called "parallel imports" of certain product categories including phones and batteries. Those imports do not require the permission of trademark owners, so Apple can't really stop this happening if Russia finds a third-party with iPhone 14 stock willing to sell it. Of course, Apple could always take action against the seller assuming they can find out who it is.
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