Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is eying INR 1,000 crore from the sales of the iPhone 5S in India in the current quarter, after getting impressive response in the country. If the number is achieved, the iPhone 5S will become one of the most successful smartphone roll-outs in the country, and will rise to the level of Galaxy S series phones from Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930), says a report from Indiatimes.com.
Huge advertising push by Apple
The iPhone maker is targeting twice the sales of the iPhone 5 sold in the previous year’s corresponding quarter, which earned the company second place in smartphone vendors in India after Samsung. Also, the company is expecting 600,000 iPhone 4 users to upgrade their models to the latest iPhone, which is the priciest handset at present with 16GB priced at Rs 53,500 (approx. $900), 32 GB for Rs 62,500 (approx $1,000) and 64 GB priced at Rs 71,500 (approx $1,200).
To achieve its target, Apple has unveiled its biggest-ever advertising campaign in India costing around 25 crore, for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, by entering into a partnership with distributors Redington and Ingram Micro along with telecom partners Reliance Communications and Bharti Airtel.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is left with just few days to sell around 200,000 new phones to achieve its goal, and has asked for fresh supplies of the 5S, which reportedly has been sold out after its November 1st launch, as per three senior executives at Apple’s trade partners in India. “Apple is aware its iPhone 5s has become an instant hit,” said one of those executives to Indiatimes.com.
Samsung a big threat
Apple’s low priced iPhone 5C is selling at a price tag of Rs 41,900 (approx $800) (16 GB model) and Rs 53,500 (approx. $900) for the 32 GB model. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is making efforts to get a major chunk of the Indian smartphone market after getting cues from China where it ramped up iPhone sales efforts after neglecting the geography for a long time. Apple offered replacement and installment plans to woo users in China.
Korean firm Samsung entered the Indian market at a time when it was almost free of competition after the decline of Nokia. Samsung launched its Galaxy range of devices and the Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch.
Samsung runs its phones on Google’s Android, which is a tough competition to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s home built iOS. Sankalp Damani, associate consultant, business advisory services, EY said, “While Android has a lot of flexible apps, most of the apps on (Apple’s) iOS platform are paid, which does not go very well with the Indian consumer.”
