American devices maker Apple launched the iPhone 15 series last week. This includes iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The company has started selling these smartphones in India and other countries from September 22. This is the first time that Apple has made the iPhone 15 series smartphones made in the country available on the first day of the start of its international sales. Earlier, the company used to sell Made in India iPhones on the post-launch date. The iPhone 15 series models are being manufactured at Apple’s contract manufacturer Foxconn’s plant in Chennai. These smartphones were launched on September 12 at the company’s ‘Wonderlust’ event. Pre-orders for these started from September 15. These smartphones made in the country have been made available along with the iPhone 15 made in China before the start of sales. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that this is an achievement for the country. He said in a post on Last year, the sale of iPhone 14 series smartphones made in India started within 10 days of their international launch. Apple plans to make India a global hub for manufacturing iPhones. India is emerging as the next big growth destination for the company. Due to weak demand in China and regulatory pressure, Apple’s suppliers are also increasing their manufacturing in the country. Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will have to wait till the end of next month in the country. There may be a delay in the delivery of these smartphones in America and China also. Market research firm Counterpoint estimates that iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will account for about 25 percent of total iPhone 15 shipments in the country in the fourth quarter. Nabila Popal, research director at market intelligence firm IDC, said, “The premium smartphone market in India has grown rapidly. It has increased from 0.8 percent of the total market four years ago to 6.1 percent in the first half of this year. Apple has made a big contribution.” It is the largest company in the country in the segment of smartphones priced above $800.
