Pricing on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in India has been reduced by between 11 and 16 percent, reflecting Apple's most aggressive approach yet with a new flagship handset in the world's second-most-populous country.
The price cuts were portrayed by The Times of India as a way for Apple to boost what it called "flagging sales" in the country since the launch of the iPhone 6s series. The entry-level 16-gigabyte iPhone 6s can now be had for 48,499 rupees, off from its introductory price of around 62,000 rupees.
Even with the new pricing, the iPhone 6s is still considerably more expensive in India than the U.S., based on current exchange rates. 48,499 Indian rupees equals about $732 U.S., while a brand new unlocked 16-gigabyte iPhone 6s is available for $649 in America.
New Indian pricing on the iPhone 6s lineup comes just after Apple slashed the price of its entry-level iPhone 5s by almost half in the country. While the iPhone 5s was selling for 44,500 rupees ($663) in September, it can now be had for 24,999 rupees ($372).
Until relatively recently Apple has struggled to gain marketshare in India, where the triple threat of high import taxes, a weak currency, and low wages compared to the West often prices iPhones out of people's hands. The iPhone 6s started at 62,000 rupees -- or about $955 U.S. -- when it launched in India this October, making it $306 more expensive than in America.
The Times shared iPhone 6s series pricing from what it said is one of India's "biggest" websites. Current exchange rates are also included:
- iPhone 6S (16GB): Rs 48,499 ($732)
- iPhone 6S (64GB): Rs 62,849 ($948)
- iPhone 6S (128GB): Rs 74,940 ($1,131)
- iPhone 6S Plus (16GB): Rs 61,999 ($935)
- iPhone 6S Plus (64GB): Rs 75,499 ($1,139)
- iPhone 6S Plus (128GB): Rs 85,999 ($1,297)
Despite exchange and pricing struggles, Apple's total sales in India crossed the $1 billion mark in a 12-month span for the first time this year. Apple managed a 44 percent increase in year-over-year sales and doubled its net profits.