Apple starts selling HomePod in India for less than US pricing
Months after it was officially made available in India, Apple is now promoting the HomePod and directing users to local resellers where, unusually, the device is sold for below the regular US pricing.
Apple HomePod
Apple launched the HomePod in India in January 2020, making its appearance in the territory almost two years after its U.S. launch. While Apple's official site specified the HomePod was available, however, Apple India itself does not sell any products online. It also has no physical Apple Store yet, and it gave no indication of where HomePod could be bought.
Significantly, the pricing of the HomePod -- both now and as listed by Apple India back in January -- is less than the same device costs in the US. It is extremely unusual for a local Indian price to beat a US one for any Apple product. Right now, the HomePod is selling for 19,900 rupees, which is the equivalent of $262.73 US. Currently Apple sells the HomePod for $299 in the US.
For comparison, a pair of AirPods Pro that retails in the States for $249, is available in India for 24,900 rupees -- or $328.75. In India, the new $399 iPhone SE is the equivalent of $561. And the $699 iPhone 11 is what would be $902.
International pricing is difficult to usefully compare, because all countries, including the US, implement taxes differently. Some like the UK, for instance, list the local taxes in the published price. India, though, also adds steep tariffs on devices that are not produced in the region.
Typically, Apple India features a Buy button which links to a page listing local authorized resellers, and it only appears when an item is available. So, just as with the US, an announced product will get a promotion and a technical specifications page until it is actually available to purchase, and then a Buy page is added.
Despite Apple stating that the HomePod was available since January, it only added this Buy button in early May. It is presently unclear whether this is simply a new marketing promotion, or an acknowledgement that availability was delayed for four months.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod or HomePod mini. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider Daily," and you'll get a fast update direct from the AppleInsider team.
Apple HomePod
Apple launched the HomePod in India in January 2020, making its appearance in the territory almost two years after its U.S. launch. While Apple's official site specified the HomePod was available, however, Apple India itself does not sell any products online. It also has no physical Apple Store yet, and it gave no indication of where HomePod could be bought.
Significantly, the pricing of the HomePod -- both now and as listed by Apple India back in January -- is less than the same device costs in the US. It is extremely unusual for a local Indian price to beat a US one for any Apple product. Right now, the HomePod is selling for 19,900 rupees, which is the equivalent of $262.73 US. Currently Apple sells the HomePod for $299 in the US.
For comparison, a pair of AirPods Pro that retails in the States for $249, is available in India for 24,900 rupees -- or $328.75. In India, the new $399 iPhone SE is the equivalent of $561. And the $699 iPhone 11 is what would be $902.
International pricing is difficult to usefully compare, because all countries, including the US, implement taxes differently. Some like the UK, for instance, list the local taxes in the published price. India, though, also adds steep tariffs on devices that are not produced in the region.
Typically, Apple India features a Buy button which links to a page listing local authorized resellers, and it only appears when an item is available. So, just as with the US, an announced product will get a promotion and a technical specifications page until it is actually available to purchase, and then a Buy page is added.
Despite Apple stating that the HomePod was available since January, it only added this Buy button in early May. It is presently unclear whether this is simply a new marketing promotion, or an acknowledgement that availability was delayed for four months.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod or HomePod mini. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider Daily," and you'll get a fast update direct from the AppleInsider team.
Comments
We have two linked together and they sound great. While I wish they had at least one line-in and Bluetooth, it’s not needed in the Apple ecosystem. My biggest gripe is the software. If you’re relying on the OS to make the connections to AppleTV, iPhones and iPads, then you better make sure that works.
Ours is mostly used through our AppleTV and we have to regularly reconnect them to the device. Which leads to my second gripe. Some apps make this extremely easy (Apple’s built-in players) but others require you to exit them and go in to settings (Disney +, Netflix, etc.) unless I’m missing something.
I've just ordered 1 Space Grey and 1 White. I should be getting them tomorrow!!
FINALLY!
FWIW, we have an AirPlay compatible receiver with multiple zones that we connect an TV in our exercise room to in order to get audio there. The method I described above is how I connect the TV when it disconnects, which is about once a week. Not exactly the same as connecting to a HomePod (because I’m connecting to a receiver) but I think it would work.
I would much rather it have better sound in the end than the shitty $30 Amazon speakers I know you're talking about. First and foremost, its a high-end speaker! It needs to sound like one and it does.