India

Cheaper 8GB iPhone 5c now available in India

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 23, 2014

Following the phasing out of the four-year-old iPhone 4 in India earlier this month after re-launching the handset in January, Apple has now officially brought its cheaper iPhone 5c model with eight gigabytes of storage to the 1.24 billion people country, one of the emerging BRIC (Brazil/Russia/India/China) markets.

According to local reports, the 8GB iPhone 5c has replaced the aging iPhone 4 as one of Apple's most affordable handsets, starting at Rs 33,500 (approximately $574) after a cash discount of Rs 4,000 (about $68) and a wireless service contract...

Apple discontinues iPhone 4 in India, all over again

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 7, 2014

According to a new report, Apple has discontinued its four-year-old iPhone 4 smartphone model in India. Although the Cupertino firm had re-launched the handset in the 1.24 billion people market back in January, it's now been removed after mere 4 months.

This is an unusual move on Apple's part: the iPhone 4 was re-introduced as Apple's most affordable phone in India in order to help regain some of the share Apple rapidly lost amid the onslaught of cheap Android handsets.

During the January-March quarter, Apple's unit share in India was a CyberMedia estimated 2.4 percent versus the #1 Samsung which took 38.9 percent of handset sales...

Apple to raise prices on some international App Stores in the next 24 hours

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 31, 2014

In the next 24 hours, Apple will be making a few changes to price tiers available to iOS developers as a result of fluctuating foreign exchange rates.

The adjustments will affect seven countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Israel, with most of the affected markets set to experience price hikes due to the weak local currency.

The firm has adjusted App Store prices a few times in the past and these changes are no different.

The company has informed registered iOS developers of the retail price changes via an email communiqué today...

Apple to open small stores in India with a focus on low-end iOS devices

Cody Lee ∙ March 11, 2014

Citing sources familiar with the company's retail plans, The Economic Times is reporting today that Apple is working with local distributors in India to set up small shops in larger cities to push some older-model iPhones and iPads, as well as some lower-end Macs.

The initiative is part of Apple's ongoing efforts to make inroads into the country, where its iPhone only accounts for about 2% of the smartphone market. These new shops, according to the report, will focus on cheaper devices like the iPhone 4 and 4s, and the iPad 2...

Apple restarting iPhone 4 production for India and other markets

Cody Lee ∙ February 4, 2014

Apple has reportedly resumed production of the discontinued iPhone 4, according to a new report. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, The Economic Times is reporting that Apple hopes to sell the handset in places like India, Indonesia, and Brazil.

The Mac-maker is hoping that the device will help it recoup market share in these countries and other developing markets, where few carriers offer subsidies on their smartphones and prices of consumer electronics tend to run much higher than the global average...

Apple’s aggressive iPhone trade-ins in India could include try-and-buy

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 20, 2013

India Today on Monday said Apple has partnered with India's local distributors (Apple Stores don't operate in the country) on a smartphone trade-in program against new iPhone 5c and iPhone 4s purchases in an attempt to boost sales of the colorful new iPhone that has largely failed to attract buyers compared to the flagship iPhone 5s.

The Times of India today shared some additional tidbits about the initiative and it seems the country's would-be iPhone buyers can now bring in their old iPhone or one of non-Apple handsets to claim lower prices against new iPhone 4s/5c purchases, and other benefits. More on that right below...

Apple launches trade-in program in India to make older iPhones less expensive

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

India is home to 1.24 billion people. As such, the second most-populous nation (after China) is among the fast-growing markets for smartphones. Brazil, Russia, India and China have a collective population of nearly three billion people and as such these so-called BRIC markets are estimated to each overtake the United States in smartphone sales by 2018.

India is particularly important to Apple so Tim Cook & Co. in past few months rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at making it easier for cash-strapped consumers to purchase an iPhone. Apple's premium pricing strategy coupled with high import taxes and low average pay put the iPhone out of reach for many average Indians so the firm is now launching a new smartphone trade-in program in co-operation with local resellers...

iPhone 5s sells out in first 24 hours of India launch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The Times of India is reporting this morning that Apple has completely sold out of iPhone 5s stock in India within the first 24 hours of its launch. Both the 5s and the iPhone 5c went on sale in the country on November 1.

It sounds like India is seeing similar supply constraints as folks did here in the US and other areas, but the situation is a bit more extreme. Several retailers in India have already asked Apple for emergency replenishments...

Apple’s Russia push slowed by pricey iPhones

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 25, 2013

Although Apple today launched the iPhone in an additional 35 global markets (with more to come next Friday), including Russia, its flagship iPhone 5s remains too expensive for all but the most wealthiest. The iPhone 5c, costing just $99 in subsidized markets such as the U.S., can cost nearly $800 in Russia, unsubsidized.

Apple's goal of competing globally is being hampered by pricing centered on carrier subsidies. In countries such as Russia, India and elsewhere where subsidies are not allowed, the cost of an iPhone can equal a month's salary - or more. As a result, Samsung's cheaper Android phones control most smartphone sales...

NTT DoCoMo hurt by iPhone wait, iPhone 5c too pricey for India’s prepaid market

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Did Japan's largest carrier wait too long to offer the iPhone? That's the impression after NTT DoCoMo lost a record 66,800 net users in September, dropping its market share to 46 percent. By comparison, KDDI and SoftBank, which sold iPhones soon after its 2007 introduction, gained ground adding 270,700 and 237,700 users respectively.

DoCoMo blamed customer loss on inventory shortages and consumers who waited until Apple's iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c September 20 sale date. Hoping to regain some momentum, the nation's largest carrier announced opening online sales of the iPhone 5s to all customers. Meanwhile, in India things have gotten a little tricky for Apple's $100 cheaper colorful iPhone 5c...

Apple plans 100 stand-alone stores in India, including store-in-store locations in small cities

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 4, 2013

Apple has told India's top retailers it plans to open 100 locations in India during this fiscal year. The meeting Monday was held by Apple's top India executives who have tripled the iPhone maker's team targeting the burgeoning smartphone market.

The plans outlined include entering the top 50 markets in India, selling phones, tablets and other branded gear. The report, from the Economic Times, follows a news earlier this year that Apple wants to increase three-fold its number of India franchise stores to 200, up from 65...

Apple refrains from iPhone price hike in India following unprecedented rupee drop

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 10, 2013

Even though India is home to 1.24 billion people and is part of the emerging BRIC markets, high import taxes and a number of other factors have contributed to often too high prices of consumer electronics products such as smartphones. The off-contract iPhone 4S which costs $450 in the United States, for example, used to be desperately out of the reach for most of that nation’s consumers.

Realizing its mistake, Apple has tweaked its pricing tactics in the country and started offering installment plans and other benefits. According to a new report, the iPhone maker also decided to eat into its high iPhone margin in order to preserve the current iPhone pricing in India whereas Samsung has chosen to raise prices due to Indian rupee’s unprecedented plunge...