There are three permanent truths of life; death, taxes and Apple events every year. Last night, Apple announced its latest series of iPhones, the iPhone 11 along with a long-range of other products and services. Things are however a bit different this year.
Talking about the new launches, there are 3 models in 11 series, the Apple iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, all of them coming with a new dual rear camera setup, spatial sound and Dolby Atmos support.
- There are many other features added to the new iPhones, but let’s not turn this into another phone review. All of them are also priced rather moderately in Indian market compared to apple standards in past, with Apple XR still being promoted for Rs.43,100 in the Indian market despite its successor standing at the gate.
This rather modest pricing has already started a debate in the Indian consumer market, with people wondering if Apple is nervous.
- This is not a hidden fact that ever since Tim Cook took over, the company has struggled to establish a base in the Indian market with its market share dwindling every quarter.
- From a 2.3% market share in 2016, it has come down to a meagre 1.2 %, although the number of shipments has remained the same, the competitors have considerably upped their game in India.
- Apple has indeed struggled to sell its costly phones in India, a market which is run by a range of less expensive, but equally or sometimes more feature-rich options, from Chinese players like OnePlus and Xiaomi.
- To counter this, Apple took things into its own hands last year. Veteran Michel Coulomb was made the head of India operations with clear directions to up the sell and clear the mess created by rivals. This aggressive pricing just seems like an extension to that.
- Upon comparing the flagship models of other brands with Apple’s iPhone 11, one can easily see that Huawei P30 Pro, OnePlus 7 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Note 10 fare as well as if not better in terms of features, all this, after being priced way less than iPhone.
- One can easily notice how tough the competition has become for Apple, especially in a market like India where people are more interested in features than in Apple.
- There is a lot of buzz about the Cupertino giant changing its strategy for the Indian market specifically, as it sees Indian as not only a consumer base but also a manufacturing base away from US-China.
- Today’s consumers are more aware. They are out of the Apple hype and the luxurious bubble of being an iPhone user. When comparable options are already available in the market at way lesser prices, it doesn’t make sense to get into Apple and buying their latest products every year.
- Apple understands this too, although a little later than one would have expected, but it is, and it is reflecting in their strategies with their new series.
