Apple has announced its biggest expansion in India to date, including new retail stores and increased local manufacturing of its flagship iPhone models. Following the grand success of its first two stores in Mumbai (BKC) and Delhi (Saket), opened in April 2023, the Cupertino tech giant is planning additional retail locations in Bengaluru and Pune. Delhi-NCR and Mumbai are set to get their second Apple Store as part of the expansion.
“Our stores are incredible places to experience the magic of Apple, and it’s been wonderful to deepen our connection with our customers in India,” Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail said. “We’re thrilled to build our teams as we plan to open more stores in India, because we’re inspired by the creativity and passion of our customers across this country. We can’t wait for them to have even more opportunities to discover and shop for our amazing products and services, and connect with our extraordinary, knowledgeable team members.”
Apple goes big in India
Beyond expanding its retail footprint, Apple is ramping up manufacturing in India. The company revealed that it is now making the entire iPhone 16 lineup, including the top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models, within the country. This is a major step in Apple’s “Make in India” journey, which began in 2017 and has steadily grown over the years. Locally manufactured iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will soon be available for Indian customers and exported to select countries worldwide, further establishing India as a key manufacturing hub for the company.
Reports suggest that Apple made iPhones worth USD 14 billion in FY24, which is double the amount it produced in the previous year. In fact, one in every seven iPhones is now made in India.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were the first iPhones to be ready for shipping worldwide soon after their release on September 9. A day after launch in the US, Communications and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had praised Apple’s decision to manufacture the iPhone 16 in India. He said, “Apple’s latest iPhone 16 is being produced and launched globally from Indian factories!”
Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously emphasised the need to manufacture in India. During the company’s Q2 2024 earnings call, he categorically mentioned that, “From a pragmatic point of view, you need to produce there to be competitive.” With regulatory pressure in Europe and slowing sales in China, India has become a key market for Apple’s future growth. It is but obvious in some of its recent product decisions.
iPhones become more attractive
The iPhone 16 Pro is priced Rs 15,000 lower than the iPhone 15 Pro at launch, making it more affordable. Recent import duty cuts have also helped reduce costs. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is also priced lower than the previous model. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus cost the same as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus at launch, despite packing more quality-of-life improvements. This renewed pricing strategy had made the iPhone 16 lineup more appealing to Indian customers while pushing competitors like Samsung to bring down the prices of flagship models.
If that wasn’t enough, Apple is ringing into the upcoming festival season with a bevy of deals and discounts across its entire product range from iPhone to Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods making them more affordable by up to Rs 10,000. It is bundling a pair of India-exclusive Solo Buds earbuds worth Rs 6,990 for free on purchase of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
In addition to its commercial ventures, Apple is also taking steps to contribute to sustainability efforts in India. As part of its global commitment to be 100 percent carbon neutral for its supply chain and products by 2030, Apple is working with Indian partners on various environmental projects. A recent joint venture with CleanMax, for instance, will provide additional clean energy capacity, powering Apple’s offices, retail stores, and corporate operations in India.
The combination of new retail stores, local manufacturing, affordability options, and environmental initiatives aim to deepen Apple’s connection with its growing Indian customer base and further solidify its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets.
Follow FE Tech Bytes on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
