The iPhone is now substantially more expensive for UK buyers, following the launch of Apple's latest model.

The Cupertino firm's top-of-the-range 256GB iPhone 7 Plus costs $949 in the US, which works out at £711 at the current exchange rate - more than £200 less than the official UK price of £919.

Pricing differences on the smaller iPhone 7 differ slightly less, with US prices starting at $749 in the US, which works out at £562.

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The iPhone 7 lineup was introduced at a live event in San Francisco and features two new colours - glossy 'jet black' and matte 'black'

The UK starting price for the same handset is £599 - £37 more than the equivalent US price.

While Apple has kept this year's handset prices in line with those of the iPhone 6s when it launched last year, it has doubled the storage capacity for each version.

With the 16GB option ditched, this means that the lowest-priced flagship option is more expensive than last year.

All of Apple's new handsets will be available for preorder on 9 September in the UK and US, with a shipping date of 16 September.

As the tech firm controversially ditched the traditional headphone port from its new iPhones, it introduced new wireless earphones called AirPods.

Again, these work out cheaper in the US with a price tag of $149, which works out at £112 - some £37 cheaper than the official UK price of £149.

IPHONE 7 PLUS PRICING US price UK price Converted US price (08/09/16) 32GB $749 £719 £562 128GB $849 £819 £637 256GB $949 £919 £711

IPHONE 7 PRICING US price UK price Converted US price (08/09/16) 32GB $649 £599 £487 128GB $749 £699 £562 256GB $849 £799 £637

All of Apple's new handsets will be available for preorder on 9 September in the UK and US, with a shipping date of 16 September. Pictured is the iPhone 7 Plus line up

As the tech firm ditched the traditional headphone port from its new iPhones, it introduced new wireless earphones called AirPods. Again, these work out cheaper in the US with a price tag of $149, which works out at £112 - some £37 cheaper than the official UK price of £149

The pricing falls into a pattern followed by Apple and numerous other global brands.

Games console brands like Xbox and Playstation routinely charge higher prices for their hardware in Britain.

Similarly, charges for streaming services like Netflix and Spotify are higher in the UK.

The cost of Amazon’s Prime service is £79 a year in the UK but a cheaper £74 in the US.

Consumer association Which? said: ‘UK consumers are getting a raw deal by paying up to hundreds of pounds more for the same tech products on sale in the US.

‘Manufacturers should play fair and explain why consumers are paying more for buying in the UK.’

The new $159 (£159) wireless AirPods have a five hour battery life and recharge by attaching to portable carry case via a Lightning cable - but will be sold separately.