Apple to launch 8GB iPhone 5C in India soon

Apple to launch 8GB iPhone 5C in India soon

Apple will launch the cheaper 8GB variant of the iPhone 5c in India by early June, in the hope to pep up sales and make back lost market share. The device was launched in other global markets a little over a month ago in an attempt to boost the global average selling price (ASP) of the iPhone range.

According to Economic Times, the 8GB variant of the iPhone 5c will retail for around Rs 35,000 – 37,000 in India, with a buyback option bringing that price down to Rs 30,000. In effect, the device will cost about Rs 2,000 less than the current 16GB variant.

The company recently withdrew its cheapest iPhone 4 model from sale in India, just four months after it was re-launched. The Rs 20,000 price tag hurt Apple's global ASP for the iPhone which was the lowest during the January-March quarter.

"Apple's iPhone5c 8GB model is likely to do well in India, since most consumers in India do not care much about the storage memory if there is a good price and deal," said an unnamed source with knowledge of the developments, in the ET report.

Analysts have been largely critical of the iPhone 5c, saying that it isn't doing its intended job of driving Apple's sales in emerging markets. The 8GB variant is sort of a last resort the company is taking to improve sales of the model, though true sales numbers aren't known as Apple does not release a sales break-up.

In India, Apple's market share stood at just 2.4 per cent in the January-March quarter of 2014, while rival Samsung led with a 38.9 per cent share. The company is now looking to close the gap between Samsung in the smartphone space, while at the same time maintain a sound balance sheet.

The 8GB iPhone 5C variant was initially launched in only a few countries including UK, France, Germany, China and Australia; however, it was made available in European countries soon after including Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Spain among others. Now the word is that the comparatively cheaper iPhone 5C is going to land in India.

Launched for Rs. 41,900 (£427), the 16GB iPhone 5C is currently selling for Rs. 34,400 (£351) under buy-back schemes and we expect the 8GB variant to launch at Rs. 35,000 (£357) and should ideally be available to those opting for buy-back at sub-Rs. 30,000 (£306) prices.

Apple managed to sell quite a few iPhones in India recently thanks to its aggressive marketing and buy-back schemes with iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S leading the pack. Now with iPhone 4 reportedly gone, iPhone 5C will likely take its place as a low-cost option.