Apple is scheduled to launch its brand new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus mobile devises on October 16, Friday in India, three weeks after its release in most Western nations. However, the sky-high price tag of $955 for the entry-level model of the new smartphones is the world's most expensive, yet a drop in the bucket compared to the 128GB 6S Plus with a price point of $1,415.
In a cost comparison, the 16GB 6S is priced at $649 in the United States. Thus, Indians will pay $306 more. Meanwhile, the 128GB 6S Plus sells for $949 in America, so Indians will be paying a $466 higher price for the mobile device.
Analysts say that the high price could hurt Apple's 6S sales figures in India. The Samsung Galaxy S6 already costs about one-third less than the cheapest iPhone 6S, at $615.
However, the best-selling smartphones in India are sub-$200 budget phones. They include Chinese models such as the Xiaomi Redmi, and local brands including Micromax.
Neil Shah is the research director of Counterpoint Research. He explained that Apple sold nearly 1.7 million units during the last fiscal year, which is a 55 percent year-on-year rise, according to CNET.
However, only half of the iPhone units sold were from the 6 series. That implies that many iPhone fans can only afford earlier models.
When the iPhone 6 was launched last year, the 16GB 6 model had an $865 price. Based on India's 2012 average monthly wage of $215, the cheapest iPhone 6S would cost around five months-worth of paychecks.
Prior to the announcement of the iPhone 6 series' pricing, France had the priciest units in the world. The starting price was $845.
Nonetheless, the most expensive customized iPhone 6 costs $3.51 million. Goldgenie's exorbitantly priced unit is is made of 24-carat gold and covered with dozens of small diamonds, according to Daily Mail.