Apple Inc.'s iPhone 5C too highly priced for India, says Gartner - Financial Express

PTI | New Delhi | Updated: Nov 15 2013, 10:22 IST

Gartner said that there has been some inventory built up for the iPhone 5C (AP)

SummaryIn India, Apple Inc. has priced 16 GB iPhone 5C at Rs 41,900 and 32 GB variant at Rs 53,500.

Apple Inc. 's iconic brand iPhone's latest offering 5C is 'too highly priced' for emerging markets like India, aiding iPhone 4S to be the volume driver, research firm Gartner said today.

However, the firm said, in mature markets like the US and Europe the price difference between the iPhone 5C and 5S is not enough.

"In emerging markets, the iPhone 4S will continue to be the volume driver at the low end as the lack of subsidy in most markets leaves the iPhone 5C too highly priced to help drive further penetration," Gartner said.

Apple Inc. did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment on the issue.

In India, Apple Inc. is selling 16 GB iPhone 5C at Rs 41,900 and 32 GB variant at Rs 53,500, while, iPhone 5S is available at Rs 53,500 (16GB), Rs 63,500 (32 GB) and Rs 71,500 (64 GB).

"Gartner believes the price difference between the iPhone 5C and 5S is not enough in mature markets, where prices are skewed by operator subsidies, to drive users away from the top of the line model," it added.

A contract-free and unlocked 16GB version of the iPhone 5C is available for USD 549 (about Rs 34,700) in the US, while an unlocked and contract-free iPhone 5S can be bought for USD 649 (about Rs 41,000).

In the July-September quarter of 2013, Apple Inc.'s smartphone sales reached 30.3 million units, up 23.2 per cent from same quarter of 2012.

"While, the arrival of the new iPhones 5S and 5C had a positive impact on overall sales, such impact could have been greater had they not started shipping late in the quarter," Gartner said.

The firm added that there has been some inventory built up for the iPhone 5C, whereas the demand for 5S has been good leading to its stocks being sold out in many markets.

Besides, the research firm said that worldwide sales of mobile phones are expected to rise by 3.4 per cent to touch 1.81 billion units this year compared to the previous year.

The firm, while giving July-September 2013

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