Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17 Series in Cupertino, California, on 9 September 2025. However, its availability in Indonesia remains uncertain. According to Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Apple has not yet submitted any request to release the device domestically.

“Yesterday it was [iPhone] 16, so no, there has been no submission,” Agus said after a meeting with Commission VII at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 3 September 2025.

Local Release Pending TKDN and Ministry Approval

Although the iPhone 17 has debuted globally, Apple must obtain certification from the Ministry of Industry and approval from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs before it can be sold in Indonesia.

This includes meeting the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) requirements, a regulatory prerequisite for all smartphones entering the country. Only after these steps are completed can Apple distribute the device through official partners such as Erajaya (Erafone, iBox) and Digimap.

Based on History, the Local Launch Could Take Months

Historically, iPhones arrive in Indonesia one to two months after their global release. For instance:

• iPhone 15: Released globally on 12 September 2023, arrived in Indonesia on 27 October 2023
• iPhone 14: Global release on 16 September 2022, launched locally on 4 November 2022
• iPhone 13: Global release on 24 September 2021, hit Indonesian markets on 19 November 2021

An exception occurred with the iPhone 16, where local sales were delayed until 11 April 2025, months after the global debut in September 2024.

Apple’s Ongoing Investment in Indonesia

Despite the delay, Apple remains committed to expanding its presence in Indonesia. Earlier this year, the company pledged an investment of US$160 million (approximately Rp2.6 trillion) for the 2026–2028 period.

The funds will support the continuation of Apple Academy programs, the establishment of the Apple Software Indonesia and Technology Institute, and further development of the Apple Professional Developer Academy.

“As part of the agreement between us and Apple, they will expand the Apple Academy in Bali. That has already been launched, and I will visit it soon. All investments are still on track,” said Agus.

iPhone 17 Lineup and Key Specifications

Apple introduced four new models in the iPhone 17 Series:

1. iPhone 17

• 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR
• A19 Bionic chip (2nm)
• Dual camera (48 MP + 12 MP ultrawide)
• USB-C, Dynamic Island, Face ID
• Up to 2 hours more battery life than iPhone 16

1. iPhone 17 Air

• 6.5-inch OLED with ultra-thin bezels
• Slimmest design in the lineup
• A19 Bionic chip
• Dual 48 MP camera with sensor fusion

1. iPhone 17 Pro

• 6.3-inch ProMotion OLED (1–120Hz)
• A19 Pro chip (faster and more efficient)
• Triple 48 MP camera (main, ultrawide, telephoto)
• Titanium body, ProRAW & ProRes video support

1. iPhone 17 Pro Max

• 6.9-inch next-gen ProMotion OLED
• A19 Pro chip
• Triple 48 MP camera with periscope zoom (6x)
• Largest battery in the series
• Designed for professional users and creators

Pre-orders for select countries, including the U.S., Japan, and Singapore, opened on 12 September 2025, with global sales beginning on 19 September. Indonesian consumers will need to wait for official certification before purchasing.

PHOTO: APPLE

This article was created with AI assistance.