Apple’s Strong Growth Strategy in India with iPhone 15 Launch
New Delhi, September 13 (IANS) – Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is intensifying its focus on the Indian market with the launch of iPhone 15. The tech giant is capitalizing on the ‘Make in India’ initiative,
planning to release the devices globally on September 22. This move includes support for ISRO’s NavIC GPS system and simultaneous product availability in India and global markets,
a strategy initiated last year.
India’s Rising Significance for Apple
India has emerged as one of Apple’s top five global markets, following China, the US, Japan, and the UK. The reasons behind this ascent include the premiumization of the smartphone market,
an increasing number of first-time users transitioning from Android to the Apple ecosystem, and a youthful population.
Counterpoint Research Director Tarun Pathak notes that Apple is successfully attracting first-time users in India, alongside robust sales of previous-generation devices,
steadily increasing its overall market share in the country.
Anticipating Strong Demand for iPhone 15 in India
The base models of iPhone 15 are expected to witness significant demand in India,
particularly from users upgrading from iPhone 11, 12, and 13 models. Apple set a record for its June quarter sales in India, driven by the strong performance of iPhones.
Growing Market Share and Local Manufacturing
India’s mobile phone exports are poised to cross Rs 1,20,000 crore this fiscal year,
with Apple projected to capture more than 50% of the market share by FY24,
according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).
Driven by local manufacturing, Apple iPhones are expected to secure a 7% market share in India’s predominantly Android-dominated smartphone market this year. Apple iPhone shipments saw a remarkable 68% year-on-year growth in the first half of this year.
In the first half, Apple secured a 6% market share in the Indian smartphone market and dominated the super-premium segment (priced between Rs 50,000 and Rs 100,000) with a robust 63% market share,
as reported by market intelligence firm CyberMedia Research (CMR).
Expanding ‘Make in India’ Initiative
For the first time, Apple will launch the ‘Make in India’ iPhone 15 on the same day as its global release, a testament to the growing significance of the Indian market. Additionally,
a portion of ‘Make in India’ iPhone 15 units will be exported to other countries shortly after its global availability on September 22.
Last year, Apple began assembling the iPhone 14 at the Foxconn facility in India in September, marking a significant shift in assembly timelines compared to previous iPhone launches.
Support for NavIC GPS
Apple is now extending support for ISRO’s satellite navigation system, NavIC,
to its high-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models. While details about NavIC’s specific features in India are yet to be disclosed, this move showcases Apple’s commitment to offering location-based services tailored to the Indian market.
Continued Investment and Growth
Apple continues to invest in building its presence in India. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, expressed optimism about the Indian market, acknowledging that there is ample room for growth. Despite being the world’s second-largest smartphone market,
Apple recognizes the potential for further expansion and is dedicated to seizing the opportunities it presents. Cook emphasized their commitment to harnessing the Indian market’s potential, making it a priority for the company’s future endeavors.
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