Apple iPhone second-largest selling smartphone brand in India; here’s why it’s set to add heft to that

How much does an Apple iPhone cost in India? While there are many models of the phone available, there is no one price that these, or for that matter, any Apple product, sell at. But the Cupertino-based tech giant may soon remove that anomaly, by setting up its centre in India; this would not only bring price parity, but also help stock products in adequate numbers. Starting 2017, the iPhone, iPad and Mac computers will be available in more Indian cities. That apart, the company will also work with a host of application providers. To ensure more buyers, it will move to a dedicated distribution centre managed by its global logistics partner, DB Schenker, at Bhiwandi, near Mumbai. That should add to Apple’s muscle at a time when it is the country’s second-largest-selling smartphone brand by revenue in FY16. It will also allow Apple to ease operations and streamline logistics and supply-chains for an easier transition to the GST regime.

Moreover, once the Bhiwandi centre is set up, the company can provide hardware tailored to the needs of its corporate clients. But will the “pivot to India” be enough to revive Apple’s fortunes (they have sagged, lately)? For a country fuelled by aspirations, Apple represents a premium brand. But with the likes of Google and Samsung offering products at a premium and that too a plethora of new features, just new stores may prove to be a game-changer for the company.