Wistron to open fourth iPhone factory in India

A few years ago, it seemed that Apple would not be able to take hold of its products in the Indian market. But last year, iPhone sales in India grew by six percent, which is a significant achievement compared to the 43% decline that occurred there the year before. The Cupertino company has thus finally managed to stabilize its position on a market in which it is not very easy to gain a foothold and maintain. According to the agency Bloomberg it looks like the demand for iPhones in the Indian market will continue to grow.

When Apple dropped the price of its iPhone XR midway through last year, the model almost immediately became the best-selling phone in the country, according to data from Counterpoint Technology Market Research. The launch of last year's iPhone 11, or rather the introduction of a relatively affordable price, also significantly benefited iPhone sales on the local market. Thanks to this, Apple managed to gain a significant share of the local market in the pre-Christmas season.

Although Apple has reduced the prices of its iPhones sold in India, its smartphones are definitely not among the most affordable ones here. While competing manufacturers sold a total of roughly 158 million smartphones here, Apple sold "only" two million units. Last year, Apple bet in India on newer models, the sale of which it prioritized over the distribution of older generations of its iPhones.

According to a report by Counterpoint Technology Market Research, the premium smartphone segment in India has recently seen a significantly faster growth than the smartphone market as a whole. The success of iPhones in India has also benefited from the iPhone Upgrade program with the option of monthly installments without an increase. However, Apple still has a long and difficult way to go in India. Apple's first brick-and-mortar store is set to open here in September this year, and local supply chains have redoubled their efforts to ramp up production in the country.

Wistron, which assembles iPhones for Apple in India, is going full-scale after a successful trial period. In November last year, production started at its third plant in Narasapura, and in addition to distribution for India, it plans to start shipping worldwide, according to 9to5Mac.

Source: iMore