New Delhi, October 25 : Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce its first foldable iPhone by the end of 2026, marking a major shift in its product lineup and redefining user expectations in the premium smartphone market. The upcoming model is expected to usher foldable phones into a new phase of mainstream adoption.

As per agency report, a recent study by Counterpoint Research suggests that Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone segment could bring one of the most significant structural changes in the industry. The report indicates that the launch of the foldable iPhone will enhance consumer awareness, particularly among high-income users, and is likely to boost replacement demand in the premium segment. The move is also expected to alter brand dynamics and increase Apple’s overall market volume.

The report further highlights that the US foldable smartphone market is projected to grow by 68 percent year-on-year in 2025, entering a phase of strong and sustained expansion after several years of experimentation. This growth is being driven by improved durability of foldable designs and the diversification of brand portfolios. With the expanding range of devices and evolving ecosystem, the foldable smartphone market is being redefined.

Meanwhile, Samsung continues to dominate the market with its Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series. The company has introduced a new Fan Edition variant to attract customers and is preparing to launch its much-anticipated tri-fold device by the end of this year.

Motorola is also rapidly expanding its Razr series, which has strengthened its competitive edge against Samsung and helped reduce the market share gap between the two brands. Counterpoint Research Associate Director Liz Lee noted that Samsung is expected to maintain its leadership this year with its ecosystem maturity and product strength. However, Motorola’s growing presence in the clamshell segment and Google’s AI-driven approach are reshaping the competitive landscape.

Lee added that Apple’s anticipated entry in 2026 will not only expand the market but also establish foldable phones as a mainstream format within the premium smartphone category.

New Delhi, September 10 – Apple has officially launched the iPhone 17 series, with prices ranging from Rs 82,900 to Rs 2,29,900. The new devices will be available in India starting September 19.

Alongside the flagship models, the company also introduced the iPhone Air series, which it described as the thinnest iPhone ever built. Measuring just 5.6 millimeters in thickness, the iPhone Air supports only eSIM technology, marking a shift away from physical SIM card slots.

As per agency report, Apple has discontinued the 128 GB storage option in its latest lineup, raising the base price compared to the iPhone 16 series. The iPhone 17 Pro will now be available in 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB variants. The iPhone 17 Pro Max will offer the same three storage options and, for the first time, a 2 TB model.

Apple CEO Tim Cook described the iPhone 17 Pro as the most advanced iPhone ever created, highlighting its new design and powerful capabilities. The launch marks another step in Apple’s strategy to push high-capacity storage models while introducing thinner and more streamlined devices to its global consumer base.

New Delhi, July 8 – Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch its much-anticipated iPhone 17 series this September. The upcoming lineup is expected to feature four models: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a brand-new addition – the iPhone 17 Slim. All models will run on the latest iOS 26, which introduces the innovative Liquid Glass Interface along with a host of unique new features.

As per agency report, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models will be powered by Apple’s latest A19 Pro chipset, manufactured using TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process. This advancement is expected to offer significant improvements in performance and battery efficiency.

Design changes are also on the horizon. In the iPhone 17 Pro, the Apple logo on the rear panel may be slightly repositioned downward, likely to accommodate a new layout for the MagSafe magnets. The Pro model may feature an aluminum frame, a shift from the titanium frames used in the iPhone 15 and 16 Pro models. The rear camera bump could become larger and more rectangular in shape, although the triangular lens layout is expected to remain.

Apple is rumored to introduce a new Sky Blue color variant for the iPhone 17 Pro. Additionally, the Pro models may come equipped with 12GB RAM, up from the current 8GB, enabling smoother multitasking and enhanced AI functionalities.

Another key development is Apple’s work on its own Wi-Fi 7 chip, which could potentially replace Broadcom components in these new iPhones. This would mark a major step toward further in-house hardware integration.

On the camera front, significant upgrades are expected. The front camera could be enhanced from 12MP to 24MP, while the rear telephoto lens may see a major boost from 12MP to 48MP. Advanced features like 8K video recording and dual video recording capabilities are also likely to be included.

With these major hardware and software improvements, the iPhone 17 series is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most feature-rich and technologically advanced releases to date.

New Delhi/Doha, May 15 – United States President Donald Trump has publicly urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to stop manufacturing iPhones in India and instead bring production back to the United States. Speaking at a trade roundtable event in Doha, Trump stated that he had a direct conversation with Cook, emphasizing his desire for Apple to manufacture its iconic smartphones domestically rather than overseas.

Currently, Apple does not manufacture iPhones in the US. The majority of its production takes place in China, with India contributing approximately 40 million units annually—roughly 15 percent of Apple’s global output. Despite Trump’s call, Apple’s plans to expand manufacturing in India remain intact, as per agency report.

Following Trump's remarks in Doha, Indian government officials engaged with Apple representatives who assured them that the company’s investment commitments in India would remain unchanged. Apple continues to view India as a key manufacturing hub for its products, particularly given the region’s access to affordable skilled labor and robust supply chains.

President Trump noted that while he was aware of Apple’s plan to invest $500 billion in the US over the next four years, he had expressed concern about the company’s growing manufacturing operations in India. He suggested that while it may be acceptable for Apple to produce phones in India for the Indian market, iPhones sold in the United States should not be made in India.

Apple, however, has not yet officially responded to the questions sent via email regarding the matter. According to sources familiar with the matter, Indian officials contacted Apple following Trump’s comments, and the company reiterated its confidence in its Indian manufacturing plans.

India has emerged as a key location for Apple’s production, especially as it seeks to diversify away from China amid global trade uncertainties. Apple’s iPhones in India are primarily assembled at a Foxconn facility in Tamil Nadu, while Pegatron operations under Tata Electronics also contribute significantly. Both Foxconn and Tata are actively expanding their infrastructure to scale up iPhone production.

In the financial year 2024–25, Apple assembled 60 percent more iPhones in India, with an estimated value of $22 billion. Foxconn has also begun manufacturing Apple AirPods for export at its plant in Telangana.

As per agency report, data from S&P Global shows that Apple sold 75.9 million iPhones in the US in 2024, with India exporting 3.1 million units to the US in March alone. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, 81.9 percent of Apple’s phone exports from India in the three months ending February 28, 2025, were directed to the US. This figure surged to 97.6 percent in March, indicating Apple’s attempt to mitigate high tariffs by increasing India-based exports.

Earlier in April, India’s Minister of Electronics Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that iPhone exports from India reached ₹1.5 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year. Apple is also considered one of the largest employment generators among multinational firms operating in India, reportedly supporting over 200,000 jobs through its network of local vendors.

While Trump’s remarks raise questions about the geopolitical implications of global manufacturing strategies, Apple’s India operations continue undeterred, positioning the country as a critical player in the global electronics supply chain.

New Delhi, May 5 – Apple recorded a 25 percent year-on-year growth in iPhone shipments in India during the January–March 2025 quarter, as per agency report. The company's market share in the country also increased to eight percent during the same period, according to a report released on Monday by CyberMedia Research (CMR).

Despite Apple’s gains, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo retained its dominant position in the Indian market with the highest market share of 20 percent during the quarter. South Korean company Samsung followed with an 18 percent share, while Xiaomi secured the third position with 13 percent.

The report highlighted that Xiaomi experienced the steepest year-on-year decline among the top five smartphone brands, with its market share dropping by 37 percent. This indicates ongoing challenges in both the affordable and value-for-money smartphone segments for the company.

Meanwhile, Oppo reported an eight percent increase in sales, raising its market share to 12 percent. Motorola witnessed a significant year-on-year growth of 53 percent during the same quarter.

The report further revealed that 5G smartphones accounted for 86 percent of the total market during the January–March period, representing a 14 percent increase compared to the previous year.

In the feature phone segment, Chinese brand Itel led the market with a 41 percent share, followed by Indian manufacturer Lava, which saw a 14 percent year-on-year decline. HMD, the owner of the Nokia brand, experienced a six percent drop in sales, but still maintained a 19 percent market share.

In terms of smartphone chipsets, MediaTek continued its dominance with a 46 percent share of the Indian market. Qualcomm led the premium smartphone segment, defined by devices priced above ₹25,000, with a 35 percent share.

New Delhi – Sales of the highly anticipated iPhone 16 series officially kicked off in India today, with Apple's flagship stores in New Delhi and Mumbai opening their doors early at 8 a.m. In Delhi's Select City Walk, Saket, eager customers were seen lining up well ahead of the usual opening time of 11 a.m. to get their hands on the latest iPhones.

Apple had unveiled the iPhone 16 series, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, during its major event on September 9 titled *'It's Glotime'*. The series features advanced AI capabilities and cutting-edge technology. Pre-orders began on September 13, with customers able to book their phones through Apple's official website as well as major e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon.

The starting price for the iPhone 16 in India is ₹79,900, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced at ₹1,44,900. In comparison, the same iPhone 16 model is available in the U.S. for $799 (approximately ₹67,100), and the Pro Max for $1,199 (around ₹1,00,692). Despite the iPhone 16 models being assembled in India, the Pro Max is about ₹44,000 more expensive and the base iPhone 16 model is ₹13,000 pricier than their U.S. counterparts. 

The high demand and long queues highlight the enthusiasm of Indian customers for Apple's latest flagship devices, even with the pricing differences between India and the U.S.

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) Riding on the premiumisation trend in India, iPhones grew 28 per cent from 4 per cent market share in 2022 to more than 6 per cent in 2023, according to latest industry data.

In the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, iPhone shipments saw seven per cent growth in India, according to CMR data accessed by IANS.

Apple's Q4 2023 performance in India paints a picture of strong measured progress in a crucial growth market.

"The 28 per cent YoY growth in iPhone shipments in 2023 underlines Apple’s long-term growth potential in India. I believe India will power Apple’s growth over the next decade, just like China did in the previous one," said Prabhu Ram, Head, Industry Intelligence Group at CMR.

The iPhone 15 grew on the back of the rising premiumization trend in India.

"The continued significance of older generation iPhones, including the iPhone 14 and 13 series underscores the effectiveness of Apple's affordability initiatives and targeted retail strategies in appealing to a broader spectrum of Indian consumers, contributing to the overall growth," Ram told IANS.

As India doubles down on local manufacturing, Apple assembled iPhones worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore in India in 2023, according to industry data.

However, according to industry sources, the actual market value of the iPhones manufactured/assembled in India could be much higher, depending on taxes in other countries.

Apple’s manufacturing in India is part of the goals set under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

Led by Apple, India is set to cross $15 billion (over Rs 1,24,000 crore) in mobile phone exports in the current fiscal year (FY24), posting a growth of 35 per cent over the last fiscal year.

Apple's revenue in India hit nearly Rs 50,000 crore in FY23, with sales increasing 48 per cent to Rs 49,321 crore and net profit rising 76 per cent to Rs 2,229 crore -- fastest growth of net profit for Apple in India in the last five years.

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Apple has rolled out iOS 17.2, and with that, it introduced a new option to record 'spatial video' on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max devices.

The company said spatial video is a groundbreaking new capability that helps users capture life’s precious moments and relive those memories on Apple Vision Pro. The new capability will be available early next year.

"We’re setting a new bar for what’s possible, enabling users to record special moments just as they happened. Spatial videos are magical, and we can’t wait for users to experience them on Apple Vision Pro early next year," Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said in a statement.

With spatial video recording, users can leverage the advanced camera systems on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to capture their favourite moments in three dimensions.

Spatial videos are captured in 1080p at 30 frames per second in the standard dynamic range. Capturing spatial videos on an iPhone is as easy as capturing regular videos on an iPhone.

"With the Camera app open in Video mode, rotate the iPhone to landscape orientation, tap the spatial video icon, and then tap record. iPhone starts recording video from both the advanced Main and Ultra Wide cameras, and scales the field of view from the Ultra Wide camera to match that of the Main camera, which is then saved into a single video file," the company explained.

Moreover, users can find all of the spatial videos they capture within a new Spatial album in the Photos app, and all of their spatial videos will sync across their devices with iCloud.

On Apple Vision Pro, spatial videos can be played back in a window or expanded into an immersive view that transports users back to each moment in time, like a celebration with friends or a special family gathering.

New Delhi, Dec 6 (IANS) In an effort to diversify its global supply chain and move manufacturing out of China, Apple has informed its component suppliers of its preference to source batteries for the upcoming iPhone 16 from Indian factories, media report said on Wednesday.

According to the Financial Times, battery manufacturers, such as Desay of China, have been encouraged to establish new factories in India, while Simplo Technology, a Taiwanese battery supplier for Apple, has been asked to increase manufacturing in India for future orders.

Earlier this week, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Japanese electronic parts maker TDK Corp will manufacture lithium-ion (li-ion) battery cells for Apple iPhones in India.

"Another big win for PM @narendramodi ji's visionary PLI scheme in shifting the mobile manufacturing ecosystem to India. TDK, a leading supplier of cells to Apple, is setting up a 180-acre facility in Manesar, Haryana to build cells for batteries which will be used in the #MadeInIndia iPhones," he wrote on X.

Companies like Desay and Simplo package the electric cells produced by TDK and their counterparts into modules and send them to assemblers such as Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn, the report mentioned.

Foxconn plans to invest $1.54 billion in India. In a stock exchange filing, Foxconn said that the investment will help it fulfil "operational needs."

Meanwhile, Apple has asked the Indian government to exempt its existing iPhones from the requirement of a common charging port (USB-C) for electronics devices, as the Centre evaluates the possibility of mandating a common charger for most devices.

In a meeting with the IT Ministry officials late last month, Apple told the officials that if such a rule -- similar to what has been proposed by the European Union (EU) to require devices to have universal charging ports -- is brought, it may hamper its domestic manufacturing plans, reliable sources told IANS.

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) The India-made iPhone shipments will grow to 20 to 25 per cent globally by 2024, depending on market conditions, a leading analyst has said.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, the made-in-India iPhones are projected to account for 12 to 14 per cent of Apple’s global iPhone shipments this year.

In a Medium blogpost, he further predicted that the importance of the South Asian market to Apple will notably rise in the coming year.

Taiwanese giant Foxconn currently owns between 75 per cent and 80 per cent of India's iPhone production capacity, said Kuo.

This dynamic is expected to shift as Tata Group begins manufacturing iPhones at the Wistron production line it acquired in India.

"By making India’s Tata an iPhone assembler (already acquired Wistron’s iPhone production lines in India), Apple can strengthen its relationship with the Indian government. This move will benefit future sales of iPhones and other products in India and is critical to Apple’s growth over the next decade," he said.

Kuo also anticipated that Apple would begin introductory manufacturing for the regular iPhone 17, which is scheduled to appear in the second half of 2025, in India in the second half of next year.

According to him, this will be Apple's first foray into developing a new iPhone model outside of China.

The standard iPhone is chosen for its lower-difficulty design development to reduce design risk, the analyst said.

Moreover, Kuo estimated that Foxconn's production capacity in Zhengzhou and Taiyuan, China, will fall by 35 per cent to 45 per cent and 75 per cent to 85 per cent, respectively, by 2024.

“In addition to expanding production in India, Luxshare’s rapid increase in iPhone order allocation and improvements in production line automation are also the main reasons for the production scale reduction,” he wrote.

New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) The $125 million Tata-Wistron deal, announced soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the ‘India Mobile Congress 2023’ in New Delhi on October 27, will make Tatas the first Indian company to make iconic Apple iPhones in India.

According to industry experts, the announcement marks a pivotal milestone in manufacturing within India as it is seen as enhancing India’s pre-eminent position as the world's second-largest smartphone maker.

A slew of initiatives by the government will fuel the growth of manufacturing facilities with its Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for smartphone production allowing Indian companies to compete with global electronics makers based in China. 

Industry analysts have welcomed the move. 

“In the long term, this could mean India finally having a fundamentally strong player in electronics value chain which can fast forward the journey of ‘Making in India’ to next levels by significantly increasing the domestic value addition,” said Faisal Kawoosa, Chief Analyst, Techarc, a research firm tracking technology ecosystem.

 At present, the domestic value addition for smartphones is hovering in the range of 18-24 per cent.

“Tata is now strongly positioned to take a solutions approach for designing, developing and manufacturing electronics products in India” Kawoosa added. 

The Tata announcement underlines its strategic approach in opting to acquire an operational facility from Wistron.

 “As it moves forward, expansion of its Narasapura manufacturing facility near Bengaluru can move at a fast clip as several Indian manufacturers that helped supply machinery can be brought on board, with little dependence on global supply chains,” said another industry analyst.

Currently, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 12 and iPhone SE (second generation) are being manufactured/ assembled at Wistron's factory in Karnataka, which Tatas will take over.

The much-awaited deal has been finalised after strategic considerations in response to the reshaping of the group's product strategy and global manufacturing layout.

Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint, told IANS that Tatas' semiconductor ambitions are serious and came at a very important juncture amid India's digital goals.

"First, they can leverage the semiconductor strength in their EV business and second, their chips can be aligned with Apple in the future and the learning curve will be great for them," Pathak said.

The ‘Make in India’ initiative in technology space shot into global prominence with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stressing that it got the bulk of its components for its successful Chandrayaan-3 mission from firms like L&T, Godrej as well as much smaller tech manufacturers and research laboratories from academic institutions. 

Indian academic institutions like South India-based Periyar University and Sona College of Technology have played a vital role in designing critical components for India’s space mission.

Technology firm Vee Technologies, that created critical magnetic stepper motors for Chandrayaan-3 lift off, supplied critical modular anti-static mobile charging assembly units to Wistron for testing mobiles.

Vee Technologies provides precision engineering services for the defence, space, and automotive industries in India. 

Recently technology firm VVDN landed a high-end server contract, Dixon expanded Xiaomi smartphone production, and Corning began display glass finishing in India -- all examples of success of the Make in India initiative. 

A groundbreaking deal between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) struck during Modi’s US visit in June 2023, featuring extensive technology transfer and jet engine manufacturing in India, strengthens India's 'Make in India' narrative.

Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, emphasized the pivotal role of contract manufacturers in creating value, generating employment, and contributing to the economy. As these manufacturers scale up, they will attract component suppliers, potentially establishing ancillary factories in India.

According to experts, India stands out as a potential hub for production amidst escalating US-China tensions, owing to its substantial internal market and skilled labour force.

New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) As India gears up to celebrate the festival of lights next month, Apple retail and online stores in India -- Apple BKC (Mumbai) and Apple Saket (New Delhi) -- have lined up a series of free talks and workshops to spark the creativity of customers this festive season, along with up to Rs 10,000 instant savings on newly-launched products.

On the offer front, the customers in India can get up to Rs 10,000 instant savings on eligible products with HDFC Bank Credit cards.

Instant savings (or cash back) for iPhone 15 series, Apple Watch Series 9 and others is available on the Apple Store Online and Apple retail stores with the purchase of an eligible product with qualifying HDFC Bank Credit Cards and EasyEMI Credit Cards from October 15 till November 14.

However, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will have instant savings applicable between October 15 and November 7.

No-cost EMI is also available with the purchase of an eligible product made using eligible cards on 3- or 6-month tenures from most leading banks. 

Apple trade-in also makes it easy to exchange any eligible smartphone for instant credit towards a new iPhone.

You can personalise new Apple product for free by adding a special message with free engraving. 

Customers can also use a complimentary online personal session to ask questions, dive deeper into key features and personalise their device. 

On the event front, from October 19, Apple BKC is hosting “Light Up Mumbai”, a series of free talks and workshops to spark the creativity of customers this festive season. 

With sessions running from October 19-November 14, customers can sign up and learn from leading artists from the worlds of music, film, design and beyond and get creative on iPhone.

On October 19 evening, people can join rap sensation KING for an intimate conversation at Apple BKC to kick off our Diwali celebrations. He’ll share the stories behind his music and upcoming album ‘New Life’.

On October 26, people can join acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane at Apple BKC for the inside scoop on his Bollywood career.

On October 31, customers in India can discover how to find their singing voice using the groundbreaking music-making app NaadSadhana. Its creator Sandeep Ranade will be at Apple BKC to share the thinking behind its collaborative design.