Every time there's an article about Apple doing business in China, I feel the urge to speak up for their neighbors to the south: India! In terms of the iPhone, well, granted, all 1 billion Indians won't be able to afford an Apple iPhone in any iteration/version, but practically every Indian, from the CEO of Tata Steel to the lowly $2 a day laborer has a mobile phone of some kind. And every phone in India that doesn't have a legitimate Apple logo on it (which, let's face it, is every phone in India?except for maybe three iPhones ) is money that Apple has lost to a competitor.
If Apple does create some kinda "iPhone mini" or a "dumb" iPhone (i.e. a "feature phone" with camera, but no third party apps or other "smart" capabilities), and keeps the price low, that would be a great opportunity to get their foot in the door for the Indian market. Okay, the $2 a day laborer won't be able to afford it, but everyone from lower middle class and above would. And, of course business owners, CEOs, etc. would be able to get the full-on iPhone. Apple could easily sell several million units in India if they put a bit of effort into marketing.
But right now, Apple is alien technology to Indians?at least that's the reaction I get whenever someone sees my MacBook.
Every time there's an article about Apple doing business in China, I feel the urge to speak up for their neighbors to the south: India! In terms of the iPhone, well, granted, all 1 billion Indians won't be able to afford an Apple iPhone in any iteration/version, but practically every Indian, from the CEO of Tata Steel to the lowly $2 a day laborer has a mobile phone of some kind. And every phone in India that doesn't have a legitimate Apple logo on it (which, let's face it, is every phone in India?except for maybe three iPhones ) is money that Apple has lost to a competitor.
If Apple does create some kinda "iPhone mini" or a "dumb" iPhone (i.e. a "feature phone" with camera, but no third party apps or other "smart" capabilities), and keeps the price low, that would be a great opportunity to get their foot in the door for the Indian market. Okay, the $2 a day laborer won't be able to afford it, but everyone from lower middle class and above would. And, of course business owners, CEOs, etc. would be able to get the full-on iPhone. Apple could easily sell several million units in India if they put a bit of effort into marketing.
But right now, Apple is alien technology to Indians?at least that's the reaction I get whenever someone sees my MacBook.
What you're missing is that Apple is not in business to sell lots of phones. They're in business to make lots of money - and if selling phones contributes to that, it's OK.
Just how is Apple going to sell a phone to a $2 a day laborer and make money? All while maintaining the brand that they've created?
Granted, there are a significant number of Indians who can afford an iPhone, but that's true even at the current price point.
On a 12+ hour flight it is actually nicer to go commercial; you have headroom and enough space to walk around.
Have you ever actually seen the inside of a G-5 (or the newer G-6)? For reference, check out the show "Criminal Minds". The "headroom" and the ability to move around put commercial to shame. In other words, in reality, your statement makes no sense.
Every time there's an article about Apple doing business in China, I feel the urge to speak up for their neighbors to the south: India! In terms of the iPhone, well, granted, all 1 billion Indians won't be able to afford an Apple iPhone in any iteration/version, but practically every Indian, from the CEO of Tata Steel to the lowly $2 a day laborer has a mobile phone of some kind. And every phone in India that doesn't have a legitimate Apple logo on it (which, let's face it, is every phone in India?except for maybe three iPhones ) is money that Apple has lost to a competitor.
If Apple does create some kinda "iPhone mini" or a "dumb" iPhone (i.e. a "feature phone" with camera, but no third party apps or other "smart" capabilities), and keeps the price low, that would be a great opportunity to get their foot in the door for the Indian market. Okay, the $2 a day laborer won't be able to afford it, but everyone from lower middle class and above would. And, of course business owners, CEOs, etc. would be able to get the full-on iPhone. Apple could easily sell several million units in India if they put a bit of effort into marketing.
But right now, Apple is alien technology to Indians?at least that's the reaction I get whenever someone sees my MacBook.
You obviously are travelling in the wrong circles in India. There is a lot of Apple sales to the upper-middle class - rich class here. The White iPhone4 sold out within a week and is still not available (expected stock is next week). The black one is sold out at all Apple re-sellers, except the Service Providers. MacBooks and iMacs are selling pretty well and the iPad & iPad2 just flew off the shelves.
Granted, the quantities are not really huge, but it is selling well. And I get envious looks when I bring out by MacBook Pro. Something about the apple at the back just makes people green!
Bottom line is, like the other person who replied to your post, people can afford the iPhone here in India and they already have it. I do not think that even an iPhone mini would do numbers like what it could do in China. It would open doors to a new strata of people with lower income to pick up an iPhone, but the numbers would never be that significant as to bring Cook down here.
Comments
If Apple does create some kinda "iPhone mini" or a "dumb" iPhone (i.e. a "feature phone" with camera, but no third party apps or other "smart" capabilities), and keeps the price low, that would be a great opportunity to get their foot in the door for the Indian market. Okay, the $2 a day laborer won't be able to afford it, but everyone from lower middle class and above would. And, of course business owners, CEOs, etc. would be able to get the full-on iPhone. Apple could easily sell several million units in India if they put a bit of effort into marketing.
But right now, Apple is alien technology to Indians?at least that's the reaction I get whenever someone sees my MacBook.
Every time there's an article about Apple doing business in China, I feel the urge to speak up for their neighbors to the south: India! In terms of the iPhone, well, granted, all 1 billion Indians won't be able to afford an Apple iPhone in any iteration/version, but practically every Indian, from the CEO of Tata Steel to the lowly $2 a day laborer has a mobile phone of some kind. And every phone in India that doesn't have a legitimate Apple logo on it (which, let's face it, is every phone in India?except for maybe three iPhones
If Apple does create some kinda "iPhone mini" or a "dumb" iPhone (i.e. a "feature phone" with camera, but no third party apps or other "smart" capabilities), and keeps the price low, that would be a great opportunity to get their foot in the door for the Indian market. Okay, the $2 a day laborer won't be able to afford it, but everyone from lower middle class and above would. And, of course business owners, CEOs, etc. would be able to get the full-on iPhone. Apple could easily sell several million units in India if they put a bit of effort into marketing.
But right now, Apple is alien technology to Indians?at least that's the reaction I get whenever someone sees my MacBook.
What you're missing is that Apple is not in business to sell lots of phones. They're in business to make lots of money - and if selling phones contributes to that, it's OK.
Just how is Apple going to sell a phone to a $2 a day laborer and make money? All while maintaining the brand that they've created?
Granted, there are a significant number of Indians who can afford an iPhone, but that's true even at the current price point.
On a 12+ hour flight it is actually nicer to go commercial; you have headroom and enough space to walk around.
Have you ever actually seen the inside of a G-5 (or the newer G-6)? For reference, check out the show "Criminal Minds". The "headroom" and the ability to move around put commercial to shame. In other words, in reality, your statement makes no sense.
Thompson
Every time there's an article about Apple doing business in China, I feel the urge to speak up for their neighbors to the south: India! In terms of the iPhone, well, granted, all 1 billion Indians won't be able to afford an Apple iPhone in any iteration/version, but practically every Indian, from the CEO of Tata Steel to the lowly $2 a day laborer has a mobile phone of some kind. And every phone in India that doesn't have a legitimate Apple logo on it (which, let's face it, is every phone in India?except for maybe three iPhones
If Apple does create some kinda "iPhone mini" or a "dumb" iPhone (i.e. a "feature phone" with camera, but no third party apps or other "smart" capabilities), and keeps the price low, that would be a great opportunity to get their foot in the door for the Indian market. Okay, the $2 a day laborer won't be able to afford it, but everyone from lower middle class and above would. And, of course business owners, CEOs, etc. would be able to get the full-on iPhone. Apple could easily sell several million units in India if they put a bit of effort into marketing.
But right now, Apple is alien technology to Indians?at least that's the reaction I get whenever someone sees my MacBook.
You obviously are travelling in the wrong circles in India. There is a lot of Apple sales to the upper-middle class - rich class here. The White iPhone4 sold out within a week and is still not available (expected stock is next week). The black one is sold out at all Apple re-sellers, except the Service Providers. MacBooks and iMacs are selling pretty well and the iPad & iPad2 just flew off the shelves.
Granted, the quantities are not really huge, but it is selling well. And I get envious looks when I bring out by MacBook Pro. Something about the apple at the back just makes people green!
Bottom line is, like the other person who replied to your post, people can afford the iPhone here in India and they already have it. I do not think that even an iPhone mini would do numbers like what it could do in China. It would open doors to a new strata of people with lower income to pick up an iPhone, but the numbers would never be that significant as to bring Cook down here.