Martin Grosz
04/23/2021 6:00 AM
Clarín.com
Services
Updated 04/23/2021 7:20 AM
It is often thought that buying technology in the United States is always cheaper than in Argentina.
But there are exceptions.
Today, for example, many cell phones are available at a much
lower price in Buenos Aires
than in Miami.
And now, in addition, the values in pesos that smartphones have in Argentina must be
frozen
until at least June.
This is due to the agreement that the Government has just signed this Thursday with the factories of Tierra del Fuego.
Given the novelty,
Clarín
did a
survey
to determine if,
for an Argentine
looking for an advanced telephone, today it is more worthwhile to acquire it in the local market;
or if, on the other hand, it is convenient for you to bring it from the United States, either traveling there or with an online
"door to door"
purchase
.
Opportunities are seen in both common and foldable smartphones.
Photo File
The conclusion was striking.
With the exchange rate and current prices, acquiring the same device in Buenos Aires turned out to be up to
30% more convenient
than doing it in person in Miami.
With the plus, in favor of the local option, of being able to make the purchase in
installments without interest
and then have a full guarantee for the device in Argentina.
Here are the compared costs for various next-generation devices:
1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G 256GB
It is today the most complete, sophisticated and expensive option within the Galaxy S21 series of the South Korean brand, with a
6.8-inch screen
, the possibility of recording
video in 8K
and 5G connectivity.
In
Miami
stores
this "tank"
from Samsung is available for
US $ 1,284
with taxes included.
If an Argentine paid that sum with his credit card, the bank would settle it at
$ 209 thousand
(at the "solidarity" exchange rate, which is around
$ 163
per dollar).
Another option - now a bit less expensive - would be to take the "green tickets" to Miami to pay for the purchase in cash, or "card" but then pay the summary
with dollars
.
Thus, buying the Galaxy S21 Ultra in Miami can cost
$ 187 thousand
.
Why?
Because that is the amount in pesos that an Argentine would need to pay to get the US $ 1,284 through the Stock Exchange or in the blue market, in both cases at an exchange rate close to
$ 146
per dollar.
This is what the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra looks like.
Photo File
Now, in Buenos Aires, how much is the same device being sold for?
It is obtained at
$ 179,999
, an amount up to
$ 31 thousand lower
than that necessary to make the acquisition in the United States.
On the other hand, whoever already has savings in dollars could
legally
dispose of
US $ 1,233
in the Stock Market to get the pesos that this cell phone is worth in Argentina.
They are about
US $ 51 less
than what you should pay for the same product in Miami.
Conclusion: buying the Galaxy S21 Ultra in the country can cost
4% less
dollars than doing it in the United States.
And up to
14% less
pesos.
In the official online store of Samsung Argentina they offer to take it in
12 installments
without interest of
$ 15,000
.
And with cards from some banks you can get it in
18 installments of $ 10,000
at zero rate.
2. Samsung Galaxy S21 128GB
It is the smallest and cheapest phone in the Galaxy S21 series, although it is also very
powerful
in its features.
It has a
6.2-inch screen
and is also compatible with the new 5G networks.
Should you buy it in Buenos Aires or Miami?
The values give the answer:
Samsung Galaxy S21, the smallest and cheapest of the new series.
Photo Samsung.
Price in Miami
:
US $ 856
, equivalent to
$ 139 thousand
to the "card" exchange or to
$ 125 thousand
to the value of the so-called "Bolsa dollar" or "MEP dollar.
Price in Buenos Aires
:
$ 119,999
, equivalent to
US $ 821
(at the MEP exchange rate).
Thus, buying it in the country today costs
4% less
than dollars.
And up to
14% less
pesos.
On Samsung's official site they offer to pay it in up to
12 installments
without a surcharge (of
$ 10,000 each
).
And other stores, with cards from some banks, you get to get it in
18 installments of $ 6,666
at zero rate.
The Galaxy S21, with financing available in up to 18 installments without interest.
Photo Capture
3. Samsung Galaxy S21 + 5G 128GB
It is the intermediate option within the Galaxy S21 family, with a
6.7-inch screen
.
Price in Miami
:
US $ 1,070
, equivalent to
$ 174 thousand
at the "card" exchange and
$ 156 thousand
at the MEP exchange.
Price in Buenos Aires
:
$ 139,999
, equivalent to
US $ 959
at the MEP exchange rate.
Thus, buying it in the country costs
10% less
than dollars.
And up to
20% less
pesos.
On the official Samsung site they offer to pay it in up to
12
installments without a surcharge (of $ 11,666 each).
And with cards from some banks, in other stores, you can get it in
18 installments of $ 7,778
at zero rate.
Together, the three options of the Galaxy S21 family, all with 5G connectivity.
Photo Samsung.
4. Motorola Razr 5G 256GB
It is the new
folding
phone
of the brand that currently belongs to Lenovo.
It has a
6.2-inch
flexible OLED
screen
and a camera that takes photos at 48 MP quality.
The new Motorola Razr 5G.
Photo File
Price in Miami
:
US $ 1,284
, equivalent to
$ 209 thousand
at the "card" exchange and
$ 187 thousand
at the MEP exchange.
Price in Buenos Aires
:
$ 149,999
, equivalent to
US $ 1,027
at the MEP exchange rate.
Thus, buying it in the country costs
20% less
in dollars.
And up to
28% less
in pesos.
At the end of this note, on the official Motorola website this equipment could be purchased with
interest-free
financing
, in
12 installments of $ 12,500
.
The Motorola Razr, with financing available in 12 interest-free installments.
Photo Capture
5. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 256GB
It is the
most advanced
folding phone
of the South Korean manufacturer, with a
vertical opening system
that allows it to be converted almost into a 7.6-inch tablet.
Price in Miami
:
US $ 1,926
, equivalent to
$ 314 thousand
at the "card" exchange rate and
$ 281 thousand
at the MEP exchange rate.
Price in Buenos Aires
:
$ 229,999
, equivalent to
US $ 1,575
at the MEP exchange rate.
Thus, buying it in the country costs
18% less
in dollars than in Miami.
And up to
27% less
in pesos.
From phone to tablet in one fold, the appeal of the Galaxy Z Fold2.
Samsung Photo
On the official site of Samsung they offer to pay it in 12 installments without interest (of $ 19,166 each).
And with cards from some banks, in other stores, you get it in
18 installments of $ 12,778
at zero rate.
The iPhone, the exception
In the case of Apple mobile devices, as there is no local presence of the brand and they are
100% imported equipment
, buying them in the United States is still considerably cheaper than doing it in Argentina.
You can analyze, for example, what happens with one of the most coveted models today: the
iPhone 12 Pro Max
, in its 128 GB version.
The technology of the new iPhone 12, presented at the end of 2020. Photo EFE
Price in Miami
:
US $ 1,176
, equivalent to
$ 192 thousand
at the "card" exchange and
$ 172 thousand
at the MEP exchange.
Price in Buenos Aires
: it is offered for
$ 289 thousand
in specialized resellers and can be obtained for at least
$ 230 thousand
in online markets.
The latter is equivalent to
US $ 1,575
at the MEP exchange rate.
With which, buying this iPhone in Argentina costs at least
34% more expensive
than in Miami.
MG
Look also
Agreement to "freeze" the prices of cell phones, televisions and airs
Opportunity: which credit cards still offer 24, 36 and 50 installments and what can be bought
