Here's why Indonesia has banned sales of iPhone 16, Google phones

Indonesia has imposed a ban on the sale of Google Pixel smartphones, following a similar restriction placed on Apple's iPhone 16 just days earlier.

The bans stem from the country's regulations requiring that certain smartphones sold domestically contain at least 40% locally manufactured components.

Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, spokesperson for Indonesia's Ministry of Industry, stated that Google has not complied with these rules, preventing its products from being sold in the country.

"We are pushing these rules so that there's fairness for all investors in Indonesia," Arief remarked during a recent press briefing.

He clarified that while Google Pixel phones are not officially distributed in Indonesia, consumers can still purchase them from overseas, provided they pay the necessary taxes.

The government has also indicated that it may consider deactivating any phones that are sold illicitly within the country.

The ban on Google’s smartphones follows Indonesia's recent decision to block sales of the iPhone 16 for similar reasons regarding local content.

Companies typically address such regulations by increasing their use of domestic components through partnerships with local suppliers or by sourcing parts locally.

Despite the bans, both Google and Apple do not rank among the top smartphone manufacturers in Indonesia.