Experts say 2020 may be Apple’s strongest year yet in India

2019 saw a “complete turnaround in Apple’s market share and presence in India, fueled by attractive price drops on previous generation iPhone models (iPhone XR), affordable newer flagship premium models (iPhone 11) and attractive schemes on other products,” according to a LiveMint report. And this year looks to be even better.

Apple Watches, AirPods Pro, and Mac desktops saw increased adoption in the country. And the first-ever flagship retail store would give Apple a booster in the price-sensitive smartphone market in 2020, notes industry experts.

“Apple recovered in the Indian market in 2019 after a sharp decline in 2018. 2020 is going to be important, as this is the year when Apple has strongest-ever portfolio — iPhone XR, iPhone 11 and iPhone 8 — that will be very much relevant for the growing Indian market. There is also a lot of speculation about iPhone SE2 coming this year,” Tarun Pathak, associate director at Counterpoint Research, told LiveMint.

Bloomberg reported on Aug. 28 that Apple is preparing to begin online sales of iPhones in India within months, thanks to the easing of a rule that previously required companies to source 30% of production locally. The report also suggested that Apple was exploring options throughout Mumbai for its first brick-and-mortar store, with a plan to open in 2020. Currently, the tech giant sells through franchisee-run exclusive brand stores, multi-branded and neighborhood stores, and ecommerce marketplaces in the country.