Apple to sell Made-in-India iPhone 15 on launch day
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Amid a Washington-Beijing trade war, Apple is launching the Made-In-India iPhone 15 with a major upgrade, crucial for addressing declining sales.
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Storm clouds fill the sky above the Apple store, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, in Dallas. (AP)
Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 15, along with updated watches and AirPods, at a grand event hosted at its US headquarters, with the release of these new products typically scheduled around 10 days after the official unveiling.
There may be minor delays in the case of devices manufactured in India due to unforeseen logistical challenges, although Apple has not responded to requests for comments on this matter.
Notably, Apple's production in India has significantly expanded, with the company previously assembling only a small fraction of its global output in the country, lagging six to nine months behind China's production. However, this delay was dramatically reduced to a matter of weeks last year, and by the end of March, Apple had increased its iPhone assembly in India to account for 7% of its total production.
Apple’s strategy to look beyond China amid a Washington-Beijing trade war and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s financial incentives to enhance local manufacturing paved the way for India to become increasingly important to the iPhone maker’s diversification drive.
Read next: Apple shares slide after China government iPhone ban reports
The forthcoming iPhone 15 is anticipated to represent the most substantial upgrade to the device in three years, featuring enhancements to the camera system throughout the entire product range, while the Pro models are poised to incorporate an improved 3-nanometer processor, underlining the critical role of this new lineup in reinvigorating declining sales.
Apple's recent financial reports revealed three consecutive quarters of diminishing sales, attributed to subdued consumer demand in key markets such as the US, China, and Europe. In addition to Apple itself, other suppliers in India, including Pegatron Corp. and a Wistron Corp. factory soon to be acquired by the Tata Group, are also expected to commence iPhone 15 assembly operations, as reported by Bloomberg News.
Apple, having launched its inaugural stores in India this year, recognizes the nation's rapidly expanding market as both a retail opportunity and a pivotal production hub for its devices in the long term. During the quarter ending in June, Apple reported robust double-digit growth in iPhone sales in India, although precise figures were not disclosed.
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