Shillong, September 20: Apple is gearing up to deliver the ‘Make in India’ iPhone 15 and locally-assembled iPhone 15 Plus to Indian customers on September 22, and it has received an overwhelming response to pre-orders for the iPhone 15 series in the country.
According to reliable industry and retail sources, the pre-orders have surged by nearly 50% compared to last year.
As per IANS, this significant increase in pre-orders indicates that Apple has made substantial progress in the Indian smartphone market. Several factors contribute to this success, including the growing premiumization trend, an influx of first-time users switching from Android to the Apple ecosystem, and a youthful and aspirational population.
The Apple Online Store has experienced remarkable traffic for pre-orders, offering enticing schemes and trade-in options to customers.
Experts attribute Apple’s success to the premiumization trend, with Indian smartphone users increasingly looking to purchase their third or fourth smartphones. The iPhone’s aspirational status, combined with substantial feature upgrades in the iPhone 15 series, is attracting users who rely heavily on smartphones to upgrade to the best devices.
Improved access to financing and higher resale values are making premium iPhones more accessible to a broader audience.
Neil Shah, research vice president at Counterpoint Research, commented, “With iPhone 15 base version now being made in India from the onset, if Apple decides to make the pricing of the new iPhones more attractive in coming months, it could have a blockbuster Diwali season.”
Both locally-manufactured iPhones will be available in India through Apple Online and its branded retail stores on September 22. Foxconn, the iPhone manufacturer, is assembling both models in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur plant.
This marks the first time that ‘Make in India’ iPhones will be exported to other countries. Estimates suggest that iPhone 15 shipments during the launch quarter, coinciding with the festive season in India, will increase by around 65% due to the expanded ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Industry experts anticipate strong demand for base iPhone 15 models, particularly among users upgrading from previous iPhone 11, 12, and 13-generation models.
Apple has been making significant strides in the Indian market, as CEO Tim Cook noted, setting a June quarter sales record for iPhones. Cook emphasized the substantial growth potential in the Indian smartphone market and Apple’s commitment to realizing it.