Apple has started making the iPhone XR in India 

Apple has started making the iPhone XR in India, according to a new Economic Times report. Apple already sells the iPhone SE, iPhone 6S and iPhone 7 here, that are made locally but this is the first time the Cupertino major brings its high-end iPhone X family iPhones into this ambit – potentially leading to a drop in prices, at least that’s what’s consumers would be hoping for. This means, buying a high-end iPhone may not be a distant dream for many, soon.     

“The company has just started commercial production of the iPhone XR locally at the Foxconn facility near Chennai after undertaking trials for several weeks,” the report says citing “people with knowledge of the matter.” Moreover, the report adds that Apple is also planning to make the newest iPhone 11s in India soon. The iPhone 11 series has the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max – all of which are in the news for their spectacular imaging capabilities.   
 
India is the world’s second largest smartphone market, but Apple has been unable to make the most of it – the company has a meagre 1 per cent market share in the country. Making in India should serve two purposes – cheaper iPhones for the Indian market and India then serving as an export hub for global markets, particularly China that’s in the middle of a trade-war with the US.   

Making in India should help Apple save around 20 per cent in import duty, but the report is also quick to add that this “won’t lead to any price drops.” 

The iPhone XR is currently the most affordable iPhone in Apple’s new lineup - but it cost significantly more than what one would pay for it say in the US at launch. As things stand today, the iPhone XR is also the first iPhone in India to get two massive price cuts within a year. The iPhone XR which was launched at a starting price of Rs 76,900 for the base variant with 64GB storage now starts at Rs 49,900 in India. The 128GB variant of the iPhone XR which was launched at Rs 81,900 will now sell for Rs 54,900. Interestingly, the 256GB model of the iPhone XR seems to be discontinued in India as it does not make a mention on the Apple India website anymore.  

Also Read:  Apple Drops IPhone XR India Price After Launch Of IPhone 11 Series