Apple is one of the biggest names in the industry. The Cupertino company is expanding its presence in more markets in an attempt to attract more customers. Apple is shifting its focus to emerging markets like India or China. According to the latest sources, the Cupertino firm is struggling to sell its phones in India as it is facing an intense competition from Chinese smartphone makers.
However, Apple iPhone is still among the hottest items in the Indian market. Last year, Apple finally brought the iPhone SE to India following months of rumors. The device quickly received millions of registrations in the country. Sources say that Apple will launch a new cheaper iPhone model in India this year.
Rumors claim that the cheaper iPhone will sport a 6.1-inch display and use an LCD display panel instead of an OLED panel. This makes sense seeing that the device will belong to the mid-range segment at launch. Sources claim that the device will be manufactured in India. This allows Apple to lower the price of the phone as it can cut down on transport costs.
According to the latest sources, Apple is planning to open new retail stores in India. Reports say that Apple will upgrade its franchise outlets by over three times in big cities in the country. Those stores will be named ‘Flagship Apple Premium Reseller, a small version of Apple’s retail stores.
Tech experts claim that Apple’s move aims to boost smartphone sales in the country. Apple is expected to ship more than 10 million smartphone units by the end of the year. In reality, local carriers and retailers are offering big discounts and promotions for Apple iPhone models. Sources say that Apple will get more money during this year’s holiday shopping season.
The upcoming iPhone models are believed to hit the Indian market in October. Last week, sources claimed that the 6.1 inch iPhone model will not be ready until October. This is not the first time we are seeing Apple delay its products. Last year, Apple pushed back the release of the iPhone X to November due to supply issues.
According to sources, Apple is planning to open its own stores in big key cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi. Apple has been in talks with the Indian government in an attempt to bring more iPhone models to the country.
India is now the third largest smartphone market in the world. Sources say that India will surpass the US and China to grab the number one position in the future. Apple and Samsung are facing a lot of competition in the Indian market. The Chinese firms like Xiaomi, Oppo, or Huawei now dominate the local market. Huawei is the world’s third largest smartphone vendor. In the second quarter of the year, the Chinese firm shipped more than 30 million smartphone units, helping it grab the number third position on the market.
When it comes to iPhone models, the upcoming 6.1 iPhone models are expected to cost less than $500 at launch.
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