According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, phones sold in the country must contain at least 40% locally sourced components.
The ministry announced a few days ago that Apple’s new iPhone 16 devices fell short of the requirement, leading to its ban in the country. There were also reports that the ban was enforced over Apple’s unmet investment promises in Indonesia.
Yesterday, industry ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief explained that Google’s Pixel devices also do not meet these standards and are therefore restricted from domestic sales.
He added that Indonesian consumers could still import Google Pixels for personal use if they pay the necessary taxes.
Both Google and Apple, while globally dominant, are not among Indonesia’s top smartphone providers; Chinese brand OPPO and Samsung currently lead the market.
Analysts have raised concerns about this move’s potential impact on consumer choice and foreign investment in Indonesia. Bhima Yudhistira from the Center of Economic and Law Studies described the regulation as “pseudo-protectionism,” suggesting it could discourage investors.
Furthermore, this restriction may affect Indonesia’s appeal as a market for international tech giants, particularly with the country’s substantial base of tech-savvy consumers.
