The timing has been perfect. A couple of weeks ago, Apple went live with its India online store ahead of the festive season. Considering the fact that when the company launched its iPhone 3G in India in 2008, there were huge crowds outside stores — a picture that didn’t change over the next decade, it took years to reach the new milestone. The past cannot be changed but Apple certainly knows that it has a bright future in India. While the Cupertino-based company will launch a new series of iPhones on October 13, there have been several developments on the India front, all of them coming together to give a bigger picture.

Apple Store Online

The India focus goes way beyond just the new Apple Store Online. True, there have been 37 online stores for the company globally before reaching India, it is also the first time people are getting a true Apple experience. Even before the pandemic — and well into it — it was difficult to find the latest Apple products because of distribution issues or so we have been made to believe by many offline stores. Even on online stores, finding an Apple product has been a matter of luck.

What the online store brings are three things. First, the same experience as one would get on, say, the US or the UK online store. Second, delivery of products within 24-72 via Blue Dart, so no more delays. Third, customisation, which comes in the form of how you buy products from the online store as well as gifting options. Customers can connect with Apple specialists in English or Hindi (hopefully there would be more languages in the future) while choosing a product. And gifting options include the ability to engrave text or emojis on Apple iPads, Apple AirPods and the Apple Pencil. The engravings can be made in English and several Indian languages.

Made in India iPhones

The privacy-focused company’s products are finding more takers than before. The iPhone 11 series and the new generation of iPhone SE are being manufactured in India. Earlier efforts of manufacturing in India have involved the original iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 and the iPhone XR. Once again, the timing is perfect for iPhones to reach the market just in time for the festive season.

A government panel cleared applications from iPhone contract makers Foxconn, Pegatron and Wistron, along with Samsung, Karbonn, Lava and Dixon to export mobile phones worth over $100 billion from India. Apple, which was even till sometime ago had to focus on China for its production, seems to be taking a new direction. Many physical retailers look at an inventory that sells quicker and keep products that are cheaper. These are phones that move faster. Ramping up the production chain as well as focusing on the online store, Apple can make inroads quicker.

New iPhones

Last month, Apple held its annual event to showcase its latest devices. But there was no mention of any iPhone because the world continues to be in the throes of a pandemic that has hit Apple production. The company, in fact, had warned investors that the virus was disrupting production back in February.

Next week, the company will announce new iPhones and some sources claim there can be four variants. The idea is to cater to a wide spectrum of audience. Cheaper offerings might be a good fit during the festive season in India and in the US during Christmas.
According to research firm IDC, Apple dominates India’s premium segment with a market share of 48.8 per cent, followed by Samsung and OnePlus. Adding to the consumer’s basket is the latest bouquet of Apple products — the new Apple Watch Series 6, the more affordable Apple Watch SE, the new iPad Air and the upgraded iPad.

Apple makes hardware and software, giving them a unique opportunity and ensuring customers enjoy maximum stability and security for years. The company offers five years of support to owners of iPhone, iPad and Mac, something Android fails to offer. That is perhaps the true value of an Apple product. Leaning on its brand image and loyalty, Apple indeed is writing a new chapter for itself in India.