The release of the iPhone 16e represents a critical move for Apple in helping it sustain its growth path in India while, at the same time, rekindling demand in advanced economies, industry experts observed on Thursday.
Apple has introduced the iPhone 16e, a variant of the iPhone 16 series, with stunning features at a more affordable price. The phone features silky, high-speed performance and incredible battery life, driven by the powerful A18 chip and Apple's new-designed C1—the first cellular modem designed by the company itself.
As per CyberMedia Research (CMR), India's high-end smartphone market saw a robust 36% year-over-year (YoY) growth. The super-premium category (₹50,000–₹1,00,000) witnessed a 10% YoY growth, while the uber-premium category (above ₹1,00,000) saw a 25% growth.
Premium smartphones currently represent almost one in five units shipped, with consumers continuing to value cutting-edge technology and lifestyle-driven buys.
In Q4 2024, Apple made it to the top five smartphone players in India for the first time, recording a stunning 72% YoY growth and an 11% market share.
"This new iPhone 16e is a significant milestone for Apple, moving the company closer to complete control over its ecosystem by harmoniously blending hardware and software," said Prabhu Ram, VP-Industry Research Group, CyberMedia Research (CMR).
The arrival of Apple's own cellular modem in the iPhone 16e marks the start of an even larger shift towards in-house modem technology, which will likely carry over to future models such as the iPhone 17 series and beyond.
"India is a key part of Apple's long-term growth plan, just as China was last decade. While Apple is just beginning its expansion in India, its current retail footprint, marketing efforts, and affordability push offer plenty of room for growth in both urban and aspirational segments," Ram added.
Tarun Pathak, Research Director, Mobile Devices and Ecosystems at Counterpoint Research, also lauded the new phone.
“In key purchasing criteria such as camera performance, the iPhone 16 base model remains an attractive choice. In India’s premium segment, EMI-based purchases dominate, with 50% of buyers opting for financing,” noted Pathak.
The iPhone 16e will be available in black and white, with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, starting at ₹59,900. Pre-orders open on Friday, with sales beginning on February 28.
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