Is Apple Experiencing High Demand for the ‘Made in India’ iPhone 17?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Strong Demand: iPhone 17 pre-orders surpass last year.
- Local Manufacturing: Apple expands its ‘Made in India’ initiative.
- Exciting Features: Titanium design of iPhone 17 Air attracts attention.
- Retail Expansion: New stores opened in Bengaluru and Pune.
- Revenue Growth: Saket store generates significant revenue.
New Delhi, Sep 13 (NationPress) The interest in Apple’s latest iPhone 17 series is escalating rapidly in India, with industry insiders reporting that pre-orders are significantly outperforming those of the previous year.
This spike in demand coincides with Apple’s ongoing commitment to its ‘Made in India’ initiative, which includes enhancing local manufacturing and expanding its retail footprint in the region.
Pre-orders for both the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, which began on September 12, have garnered substantial attention across Apple’s online platform and its physical locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru.
According to sources, the latest model has generated considerable excitement among Indian consumers, with the new iPhone 17 Air also drawing interest due to its lightweight, sleek, and durable titanium design.
Apple is making significant investments in India, not only as a lucrative market but also as a vital manufacturing center. The company has been broadening its retail network to cater to increasing demand.
Earlier this month, Apple opened two new stores in Bengaluru and Pune, strategically timed just ahead of the iPhone 17 launch.
The company first ventured into India’s retail landscape in April 2023 with its flagship store located in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), followed by Apple Saket in Delhi.
These two stores reported approximately Rs 800 crore in revenue during their inaugural year, making them the top-performing Apple outlets worldwide.
Notably, nearly 60 percent of this revenue originated from the smaller Saket store, underscoring the strength of Apple’s expanding consumer base in India.
This growth occurred despite Apple’s existing robust network of premium resellers and strong partnerships with online retailers such as Flipkart and Amazon.
The iPhone 17 series starts at Rs 82,900 for the base 256GB model. The new iPhone Air, crafted as a sleeker and more premium option, is priced at Rs 1,19,900.
The iPhone 17 Pro begins at Rs 1,34,900, while the top-tier iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB) is available for Rs 1,49,900.
This year’s launch signifies Apple’s first increase in entry-level pricing since the iPhone 12 series in 2020. However, this higher price point comes with enhanced storage options.
The base iPhone 17 now provides 256GB, double the 128GB offered with the iPhone 16. When comparing storage options, the iPhone 17 is actually Rs 7,000 less expensive than the iPhone 16’s 256GB version at launch.