‘What’s going on here?’: LinkedIn user’s post on Uber charging higher fares on iPhone than Android for same route goes viral; Netizens say, ‘This pricing methodology is unethical’

In a LinkedIn post, Niraali Parekh, founder and creative director of Bokap Designs, recounted an interesting incident involving a colleague who booked an Uber ride using two different phones—one Android and one iPhone—for the same pickup. and to leave: points. The results? Significant difference in fares. On Android, the fare was Rs 290.79 and on iPhone the fare went up to Rs 342.47.

Parekh further said that this discrepancy is far from a coincidence; Instead, it reflects a calculated pricing strategy informed by design thinking, user insights and data analysis.

According to Parekh, there are three main factors.

1. Understanding user behavior Uber and other ride-hailing apps use data to suggest that iPhone users are often perceived as “premium customers.” Research shows that iPhone users are, on average, more willing to pay for services This insight influences pricing decisions, creating a dynamic “device-based” pricing model.

2. Platform Fees Apple charges app developers up to a 30% commission for in-app purchases, which is significantly higher than the fees associated with Android’s Play Store.This commission structure indirectly affects the pricing strategy as businesses seek to compensate Apple. Higher costs associated with the ecosystem of .

3. Dynamic personalization Modern apps increasingly use dynamic pricing algorithms that adapt to user behavior and profiles. Factors such as device type, browsing patterns, and purchase history can subtly influence the fares shown to users.

In his post, he raised a pertinent question. “When does personalization improve the user experience and when does it start to feel exploitative?” While pricing strategy may be based on understanding and adapting to user behavior, its ethical implications remain murky.

From a business perspective, dynamic pricing represents a smart approach to maximizing value, but it can erode trust for users if it is perceived as manipulative or unfair.

The post has since gone viral, with users flooding the comments section to share their thoughts.Reactions are polarized, highlighting the complexity of the issue.

Some commentators saw the pricing strategy as an inevitable consequence of the data-driven business model. “It’s not just Uber that’s happening on multiple platforms. They’re charging more on MakeMyTrip when I try to book on my iPhone. The same hotel is showing much less for the same date.” , when I was checking from there. My wife’s Android phone I found is very annoying list.”

On the other hand, critics assessed the price disparity as a breach of trust. “Let’s face it. This pricing methodology is unethical. When there is zero price transparency, it’s a misuse of data and design to extract value from buyers. Dynamic pricing is rubbish.”

This is true. It depends on the location of the customer, the rating of the customer / personal, etc. The price can never be the same and fix prices. This could end, so buyers should be alert and avoid losses commented;