American Technology Major, Apple has given a kick-start to commercial production of iPhone 6s in India at the Bengaluru facility of its Taiwan-based contract manufacturer Wistron, as informed by industry executives.
While Apple has already made iPhone SE last May at the Wistron facility, it will now begin producing two models of iPhone locally. The company has been taking a trail undertaking for the second iPhone model in the 6 series since April and has chosen iPhone 6s for sales potential in the market.
Additionally, the development also means that any further change in import duties will not include price change in iPhone 6s, a move which could help Apple strengthen its position in the mid-to-premium segment of the Indian smartphone market.
According to a source cited by ET, a senior executive said,
The made-in-India iPhone 6s will be only sold in India like iPhone SE since it will take time to scale up capacity. In fact, Apple will continue with the import of iPhone 6s until capacity improves. Hence, there will be no price correction for the locally manufactured units. The made-in-India iPhone 6s model will hit the stores soon.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based research firm Counterpart has estimated that iPhone 6 series has contributed almost a third of total sales of iPhones in India as compared to less than 15% generated from iPhone SE.
Notably, the company has also lost its leadership in the Indian premium smartphone market in the January-March quarter losing its place to Samsung which elevated after its recent Galaxy S9 series launch, followed by China’s OnePlus.
Hence, in an attempt to stay competitive and regain its market position, Apple is expanding its local production which might help it regain its lost Indian customer base.