New iPhone May Lift Apple India to Top 5 Club in Sales

Apple Inc. is on course to clock iPhone sales of up to 15 million units in India this year, industry experts said, powered by the launch of the iPhone 16e, the cheapest in the company's smartphone range.

- Shouvik Das

At ₹59,900, the iPhone 16e is priced ₹20,000 below its sibling iPhone 16, but still sports the latest hardware and Apple Intelligence, making it a tempting choice for first-time iPhone buyers. Besides, its launch comes at a time when phone sales are typically dull, potentially creating excitement in the market and sparking purchases.

"The iPhone 16e features most of the latest flagship hardware and supports Apple's generative AI suite. As the newest addition to the iPhone 16 lineup, it is designed primarily for young buyers who prefer the latest-generation iPhone over older models. This strategy positions Apple to drive higher revenue in India by encouraging consumers to adopt the newest devices rather than opting for discounted older models," said Prabhu Ram, vice-president of industry research at market research firm CyberMedia Research.

According to analysts at market research firms International Data Corp. (IDC) India and Counterpoint Research, Apple sold nearly 12 million iPhones in India last year.