http://www.techdigest.tv/apple-iphone-in-hand-thumb.jpg
After a long wait eventually iPhone was launched in India last week. The wait has been the longest for the Indians as iPhone appeared on almost all the major markets world over before it finally landed in India. But the question is, has it been really worth the wait?
Going by the price it carries in US, if you were to buy it in India you'll end up paying close to three times more as upfront cost. Well, it's true that the way it is offered in US with service provider's related schemes and all may eventually bring the cost of owning an iPhone at almost the same level in US and India.
But what is interesting is the fact that people in India are more comfortable paying in smaller installments than in big down payments. Still people who launched iPhone seem to think differently. May be they are right may be not. Only time will tell. But one of the reasons behind the exceptional surge in growth of white goods' industry market in India has been the easy payment options.
Even if we concentrate only on the mobile market, most of the high end models became popular in terms of sales only after the prices were lowered. So, it's any body's guess where things might be headed.
Yes, one thing is for sure. If they want it to be some thing of an exclusive gadget for the rich and powerful only, than they have hit the jackpot (only limited, of course). And may be the plan is to subsequently lower the prices as is always done with new technology and products. In such a scenario it might happen that eventually you can get a cheaper iPhone in India than anywhere else.
And of course, there are many big mobile players in India which can't be expected to sit quietly. After all high end or low end, it's their market and they have been the rulers here. And signs are already there with many new models being launched by all and sundry to take on iPhone. But I guess they have a disadvantage vis-à-vis iPhone, I mean people want to buy it 'cause it is iPhone and can there product beat that.
The last but not the least issue is, ok fine the iPhone is out. Now what about the services that it actually was designed to offer its owners? It’s a 3G phone but we don’t have those services in India. To me the best way to judge the success of iPhone would be in terms of better services to customers. As the situation is in Indian telecom market, well it leaves a lot to be desired. All I can say to the proud owners on iPhone in India is, 'Happy iPhoning' and to the rest, just keep your fingers crossed.
Written by: Rohit Mishra
Posts
