Introduction
Many people think that India is a place where you could obtain inexpensive Android phones, but the iPhone craze has altered this perception. The iPhone, once a rare luxury, has become a mainstream aspiration in India, symbolizing style, success, and global connectivity. Those wanting an iPhone are ready to save, borrow, or trade in an old one.
Apple has accurately read the changing habits of Indian customers and their increasing affordability and has accordingly planned its strategy to introduce its products in the Indian market. This is how Apple entered India, began manufacturing iPhones locally, and became the leading brand in the high-end smartphone market.
Apple’s Entry into the Indian Market
Unlike other smartphone companies, Apple took its time and was careful when it arrived in India. For a long time, it exclusively worked with authorized resellers and didn’t have any stores of its own. In September 2020, Apple opened its own online store in India. This meant that the iPhone craze intensified, and individuals could purchase items directly from the company. Apple built its first genuine stores in India in April 2023. There were two stores: Apple BKC in Mumbai and Apple Saket in Delhi. This was a major step forward for Apple’s goal to expand in India.
This choice demonstrated that India had transitioned from being a potential market to Apple’s largest growing market, particularly as smartphone sales in China were slowing down.
Apple’s next step: ‘Make in India’
It began producing the first iPhone SE (1st Gen) in Bengaluru in 2017, with the help of Wistron. After China, India was the second country to build iPhones. Over time, production moved to Foxconn and Pegatron factories, where India now builds higher-end models, including the iPhone 12, 13, and 14.
Apple started manufacturing the iPhone 15 in India a few weeks after its global release in 2023. Apple manufactures products in India because it facilitates trade with other countries and with people within India.
Due to local production of iPhones, Apple has been able to reduce import duties. This has made iPhones slightly cheaper, thereby increasing the iPhone craze among Indian people.
The iPhone Craze in India
Even though the cost of an iPhone is a lot more than other high-end smartphones available in India, the iPhone craze continued to rise because of
1. Status Symbol: Young people in cities still see having an iPhone as a sign of success and style.
2. The Apple Ecosystem: Generally, people who buy an iPhone tend to buy other Apple devices, such as AirPods, MacBooks, iPads, and Watches.
3. Durability and resale value: iPhones last a long time and keep their value, so they are a better long-term investment.
4. Celebrities’ effect: Film stars, cricketers, and influencers show off their iPhones, intensifying the iPhone craze among common people.
5. Easy Financing: Easy accessibility of iPhones to middle-class customers through EMI choices, trade-ins, and holiday deals.
6. Psychological Appeal: An iPhone is a “luxury you can carry in your pocket,” which is easier to buy than a costlier automobile or stylish clothes.
The Growth Story: iPhone Sales in India
Apple’s sales in India have increased manifold during the last several years. It sold more than 12 million iPhones in 2024, compared to 9 million sold in 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Apple became one of India’s top five smartphone brands for the first time, recording approximately 10% market share by volume.
Apple is expected to surpass the sales figure of 13 million iPhones in the Indian market by 2025. Apple’s rise in India shows no signs of slowing down. After manufacturing their products locally and expanding their retail presence, the company reduced the costs of their products, and their flagship products, such as the iPhone 16, are selling well in the Indian market.
Apple is now the clear leader in the premium phone manufacturing industry, but there are a few other noteworthy companies, such as Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Google, Motorola, and Nothing, that are also doing well in a price-sensitive Indian market.
What comes next? ‘The iPhone 17’
Apple normally debuts new iPhones every September. The iPhone 17 series will be available worldwide on September 9, 2025. India will receive it in mid-September. This fast rollout indicates how vital India is becoming to Apple’s global strategy.
Why Apple’s plan for India is working
The key reasons Apple has been successful in India are-
- Making products in your area lowers costs and speeds up delivery.
- Retail Expansion: Having real stores makes customers more aware of and trust your brand.
- Premium Marketing: Apple is more than just a computer company; it’s a luxury and lifestyle brand.
- Financial accessibility: EMI plans, student discounts, and trade-ins make it easier for more individuals to get it.
- Global Trend Appeal: People all over the world want Apple products since they are a part of their lives.
Conclusion
The iPhone craze is more than just a smartphone in India; it has become a cultural symbol. Due to its status, technology, and demand, it is one of the most sought-after items in a market that is typically filled with inexpensive products. Apple’s efforts to create and sell items in India are paying off. The brand’s momentum suggests that iPhones will continue to be the best-selling phones in India’s high-end market for years to come.
As India’s middle class grows, Apple will sell more phones and change the entire high-end electronics sector. The “Made in India” sticker on iPhones currently reflects India’s position in the electronics industry, and the iPhone craze appears to be gaining momentum.