iPhone 3GS, the latest drool worthy gadget to be released from Apple secret labs, brings to the table faster hardware along with new features that makes it worth the upgrade from iPhone 3G. All speculations regarding the success of the 3GS have been put to rest after Apple posted brilliant numbers in the June quarter. The phased launch of the iPhone worldwide has left many Apple lovers waiting with bated breath to get their hands on this ethereal gadget.
Rumors galore on speculative date and pricing
Apparently, there have been unconfirmed reports that iPhone 3GS launch is expected to take place on 9th of August in India along with bunch of other countries. Apple product launches have always been shrouded in mystery and this one too only has a few details known about it. If indeed the rumored date is unfabled then one can only cogitate over why there have been no promotional campaigns with just about a fortnight left for the launch.
Coming over to the most talked about facet of iPhone 3G in India, its pricing. Many blamed the atrocious pricing of iPhone 3G for its dismal sales numbers in the country. While that can be held partly responsible, it seems the iPhone 3GS is going to be priced along the same lines. Rumor has it that the 16GB version of iPhone 3GS from Airtel will be priced at Rs. 32,000 while the 32GB will carry a price tag of Rs. 39,000. The respective numbers from Vodafone are believed to be less by about a couple of thousand bucks, but I personally do not see any reason for the differential pricing at least at the time of launch.
Decoding the price code
If any of you expected the iPhone 3GS to be reasonably priced this time around, then you haven’t been acquainted with Apple’s pricing regime here in India. Apple retails itself as a premium brand and the high price is justified for the awesome products it makes. But, one reason I believe the iPhone does not deserve a high price tag in the country is solely for the reason that Apple does not provide service for iPhones sold in India. The after-sales service has been left to the official carriers of the device which is pretty much pathetic. The concept of subsidized cell phones is alien out here but had Apple delved into unexplored territory it could have reaped huge rewards. The only argument in favor for not selling a subsidized iPhone lies in the fact that India has very low ARPUs and the telecom industry growth in the country is driven by volume.
Future course
The high price tag coupled with non-availability of 3G spectrum with official iPhone carriers point towards a bleak future for the iPhone 3GS in India. People would rather prefer to opt for the older iPhone 3G model if it retails at a price point below Rs. 25,000 though that would be subject to availability. Official carriers haven’t been too keen to market the device to attract buyers which has only worsened the situation. Apple needs to buckle up if it needs to garner significant profit from selling the iPhone in a country having over 300 million GSM subscribers increasing at a phenomenal rate. Offering after sales service along with technical support is the principal thing that needs to be done. Roping in new carriers especially the PSUs, MTNL and BSNL having the coveted 3G spectrum, would be a big step forward in making the iPhone a success in India.
All said and done, Apple should not be castigated alone for the failure as there are various factors that decide the success of a gadget. Rumors and speculation can only take us so far, hopefully Apple will have a few tricks up its sleeve that will be revealed as the days to the launch unfold.
