How Many Working Days Does It Take to Afford an iPhone 17 Pro Max Across Southeast Asia?
Singaporeans would only need 6 working days to afford iPhone 17 Pro Max, while the East Timorese would need 215.
The latest Picodi: iPhone Affordability Index 2025 highlights the significant differences in purchasing power across Southeast Asia by measuring how many working days people need to earn enough to buy an iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB. The index is based on average net wages and provides a simple way to compare income levels and affordability between countries.
Singapore stands out as the region's most affordable market, where workers need only eight working days to purchase Apple's flagship smartphone. The city-state's high average salaries and strong purchasing power make premium consumer electronics relatively accessible compared with its regional neighbors.
Malaysia ranks second in Southeast Asia, requiring 30 working days to afford the device. While this is nearly four times longer than Singapore, it still reflects considerably stronger purchasing power than many other countries in the region.
Thailand follows with 52 working days, while Indonesia requires 66 working days of earnings to buy the same model. These figures suggest that although the iPhone remains attainable for many consumers, it represents a much larger financial commitment than in wealthier economies.
Further down the ranking, Vietnam requires 99 working days, closely followed by the Philippines at 101 working days. In both countries, purchasing an iPhone 17 Pro Max typically means setting aside more than three months of income, underscoring the premium nature of Apple's flagship products.
The affordability gap becomes even more pronounced in the lower-income economies of Southeast Asia. Workers in Cambodia need 178 working days to earn enough for the smartphone, while Myanmar requires 184 days.
Laos ranks just behind with 186 working days, indicating that the cost of the device is equivalent to more than half a year's earnings for the average worker.
Timor-Leste records the lowest affordability in the region, with workers needing 215 working days to purchase the iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB. This means the device costs the equivalent of nearly an entire working year, making it a luxury product that remains out of reach for many consumers.
Overall, the Picodi: iPhone Affordability Index 2025 illustrates the stark economic disparities across Southeast Asia.
While the iPhone 17 Pro Max can be purchased after just over a week of work in Singapore, workers in Timor-Leste must dedicate more than 26 times as many working days. The findings demonstrate how differences in wages, purchasing power, and economic development continue to shape consumer access to premium technology across the region.