Samsung is India's biggest smartphone brand, but its market share has been etched away by Apple and Chinese brands over the past few years. iPhone sales have started to rise in the country, and with its new move, Apple could make life difficult for Samsung.
iPhone 16 Pro manufacturing could start in India soon
Apple could soon start manufacturing the iPhone 16 Pro in India. According to a report from Money Control, ‘Made in India' iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in India on the launch day. Apple has reportedly partnered with its existing manufacturing partners to make its upcoming flagship iPhones in India.
Recently, the Indian government reduced smartphone import duties from 20% to 15%. Right after this move, Apple reduced the prices of iPhones in India. If the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are manufactured locally, they won't face any import duties, which means their prices could be a lot lower than their predecessors.
If Apple doesn't increase the prices of its upcoming iPhones, the iPhone 16 Pro could have a starting price of INR 130,990 (~1,565) as there won't be any import duty on locally manufactured devices. That price matches the price of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which costs INR 129,999 (~1,553). With no difference in pricing compared to Samsung's flagship phone, it could attract many more potential buyers in India.
The Galaxy S24 series received record pre-orders in India. However, if there is no price difference between flagship phones from Apple and Samsung, iPhone sales could increase significantly due to the aspirational value associated with them, which could make Samsung's life even harder.
