iPhone SE 3 to Be Priced Under Rs. 30 c4wb 000 in India? Here's What's Actually Likely to Happen

Could many people's dreams of a truly low-cost iPhone in India finally come true? 1f6b1m

By Jamshed Avari | Updated: 5 March 2022 20:58 IST

iPhone SE 3 to Be Priced Under Rs. 30,000 in India? Here's What's Actually Likely to Happen

Highlights

Previous "low-cost" iPhones haven't quite hit the mark in India
The iPhone SE (2020) looks dated but has plenty of features
Most iPhones sell for less than their launch prices after some time

ment

If the latest currently translated to Rs. 39,990 here (down from Rs. 42,500 at the time of its launch). 1t2z5

If this doesn't seem like such a great price, keep in mind that online retailers in India usually sell iPhones for quite a bit less, and festive sales can lead to some dramatic price cuts. The iPhone SE (2020) was you can pick one up now brand new for just Rs. 15,498.

In fact, Apple regularly allows its products to be sold by third parties in India at steep discounts – this lets it maintain its brand image while still selling massive quantities of devices to people who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford them.

So it might make sense on several levels for Apple to officially drop prices on its entry-level iPhone SE, but there are a couple of ways this could work. Most rumours point to the new model – iPhone SE (2022), iPhone SE 3, iPhone SE 5G, or whatever it's called – launching at $299 or even at $199. The latter is extremely unlikely, since Apple rarely makes such huge changes to its lineup. Still, any price cut would be interesting.

Keeping the price high could be justified because Apple will most likely use a version its most recent long-term software updates, and the usual brand value.

On the downside, having the same body shape and small 4.7-inch display that's been in circulation since the iPhone 6 launched in 2014 will hurt the new iPhone SE. The Android world moved on to big screens with minimal borders and no physical buttons long ago, but Apple keeps its lowest-end iPhone model old-school to keep development costs down and cater to change-resistant upgraders. You also get multiple cameras, face recognition, super-fast charging, and assorted software customisation options in the Android world, which you'd have to do without.

Even a 5G-enabled iPhone SE wouldn't offset the advantages of most Android phones in the several months away from 5G networks rolling out to consumers in India, at best, but by launching now, Apple could make a big splash during this year's Diwali sales when the best discounts happen.

Of course there's another dimension to consider – another little concession that Apple makes in India is using third parties to continue selling older iPhone models. Right now, you can pick up an for sale on Apple.com. Each new iOS release over the past several years has ed iPhones well over five years old, keeping them relevant and secure.

That means the current Review), which currently sells for well under its Rs. 39,990 official starting price, will almost certainly continue to remain available in India following the launch of the next iPhone SE. That creates opportunity not only for an official price drop, but for Flipkart and Amazon to sell it for around Rs. 20,000 before offers. Of course if the new model does launch at a lower-than-expected price, the iPhone SE (2020) won't be as attractive.

The new iPhone SE will have the same dated design as its predecessor, with a small screen and physical Home button

Apple appears to be content allowing discounted iPhones to be sold in India, which isn't surprising since there's a huge aspiration value to the brand and once buyers come in, they're likely to want to spend money on AirPods, Apple's various subscription services, and even Macs. Apple makes enormous money by charging s monthly for iCloud storage, and Apple One incentivises use of the company's music, TV, and game subscription services. Tools like iMessage tend to keep people on the platform and willing upgrade a few years down the line.

It's fairly obvious that the Rs. 20,000 – 30,000 price band is hotly contested in India right now, and that Apple's share of this segment is not huge. By diluting its brand value just a little and competing against the big Android players, Apple stands to gain tremendously.

India has swiftly corrected to Rs. 39,000. Hopefully, things are about to change.

Apple iPhone SE (2022) 5q3o3w

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Powerful SoC
IP67 rating, wireless charging
Slim and light
Regular software updates

Bad
Small, low-res display
Gets warm when stressed
Average low-light camera performance
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone SE (2022) review

Display 4.70-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 7-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel

Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB

OS iOS 15

Resolution 750x1334 pixels

More Apple mobiles price in India

Comments

For the latest reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.