iPhone 4S to launch in India, world's No. 2 market
It was reported on Monday that India's Bharti Airtel, the leading telecom in the world's second largest mobile market, has confirmed it will launch the iPhone 4S on the same day as rival iPhone carrier Aircel, according to The Times of India.
The news follows a Saturday announcement posted on Aircel's Facebook page that stated the company would begin selling the device on Nov. 25, ending weeks of speculation as to when the handset would arrive in India, reports The Next Web.
The companies have yet to disclose a definitive price for Apple's newest handset, though the expected cost is between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000 ($693 and $792) for the cheapest unlocked 16 GB version. Previously, Aircel and Bharti Airtel both offered discounted call and data plans for the iPhone 4, and are expected to use the same reverse subsidy model for the iPhone 4S.
Bharti Airtel is India's largest mobile and fixed line carrier and is the third largest in-country mobile telecom operator in the world, while Aircel is India's fifth largest GSM provider and serves over 18 regions within the country.
Since its debut on Oct. 14, the iPhone 4S has seen a record-breaking multi-country launch, international sell-outs and continued high demand.
30 Comments
It might be the world's second largest cellphone market but I it will be many years before it's the world's 2nd largest smartphone market.
It might be the world's second largest cellphone market but I it will be many years before it's the world's 2nd largest smartphone market.
I agree. In part, because the pricing is ridiculous. There are fairly decent numbers of folks with $$ to spend on high end phones, but not at the extortionary rates that the local carriers charge for the iPhone.
Apple continues its fastest iPhone rollout ever as the iPhone 4S is set to launch in India, the world's second largest mobile market, through two separate carriers by the end of November.
Gee, I wonder if it will be so popular that it sells out?
Does anyone know how big Apple's India business is? I never hear it discussed, either by Apple or in the press
My uneducated opinion - India is still a sprawling mess. It's shocking that India and China we're on equal footing in the 70's. There is something to be said for top/down centralized planning, I guess
The best thing about waiting in long lines in India is that you all break out in choreographed song and dance every 20 minutes.