Apple’s new iPhone 17 series is off to a flying start in India, with industry insiders reporting that pre-orders have surpassed those of last year’s launch.
This surge is largely attributed to the company’s ongoing ‘Made in India’ strategy, which aims to boost local manufacturing and expand its retail footprint across the country.
The pre-order window, which opened on 12 September, has seen considerable enthusiasm, particularly through Apple’s online store and physical outlets located in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru.
Notably, the iPhone 17 Air, lauded for its sleek and durable titanium design, has generated significant attention among Indian buyers.
Apple is increasingly betting on India not just as a lucrative market but also as a manufacturing base.
The company recently expanded its retail presence by opening two new stores in Bengaluru and Pune, strategically timed ahead of the iPhone 17 launch to meet the growing demand.
Retail Success in India
Apple entered India’s retail sector in April 2023 with its flagship store in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), followed by the opening of Apple Saket in Delhi.
These stores collectively generated approximately Rs 800 crore in revenue during their debut year, ranking among Apple’s highest-performing outlets worldwide.
The smaller Saket store generated nearly 60 per cent of this revenue, highlighting the growing strength of Apple’s consumer base in India.
This success comes despite Apple’s already extensive network of premium resellers and strong partnerships with e-commerce giants like Flipkart and Amazon.
Pricing and Product Details
The iPhone 17 series starts at Rs 82,900 for the base 256GB model. The new iPhone 17 Air, designed as a slimmer and more premium variant, is priced at Rs 1,19,900. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900, while the top-tier iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB) costs Rs 1,49,900.
This launch marks Apple’s first increase in entry-level pricing since the iPhone 12 series in 2020.
However, the higher price includes more storage, with the base iPhone 17 now offering 256GB—double the 128GB provided with the iPhone 16.
When compared by storage capacity, the iPhone 17 is actually Rs 7,000 cheaper than the iPhone 16’s 256GB model at launch.
Apple’s expanding ‘Made in India’ initiative and growing retail network underline the company’s commitment to the Indian market.
With strong pre-orders and a focus on localisation, Apple aims to further strengthen its position as one of the most popular smartphone brands in India, while supporting the country’s manufacturing ambitions.
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