Apple puts brakes on supply of low cost SE and three '6 series' models in India

US-based tech giant Apple has always been looking to have a greater presence in the Indian smartphone market, which is the second largest smartphone market in the world.

It approached the Indian government and had requested concessions, including duty exemption on manufacturing and repair units, components, capital equipment, and consumables. Though, the result did not come as expected for the iPhone maker.

It has not lost the hope of making a turn around in Indian smartphone market through a new strategy.

Now, Apple has decided to focus on driving sales and value in India and as part of a new plan it has taken four of its lower-priced smartphones off from the market.

Apple has reportedly stopped the supply of four iPhones - iPhone SE, 6, 6Plus and 6sPlus to increase the entry-level price of iPhone in the country.

The California-based firm stopped the supply of these models in June, as per an ET report. These above-mentioned models are not available on online e-comm marketplaces Amazon India and Flipkart.

However, the same models are available in the US.

The move is said to be taken to improve the company's top line in the current fiscal.

In the last couple of years, Apple witnessed a dip in sales and market share in the country. As per Counterpoint Research data released in March, Apple shipped 1.7 million iPhones in 2018, compared to 3.2 million in 2017.

And the company's market share has gone down to 1.2% from 2.4% in 2017.

To reinvent itself, Apple plans to increase the number of manufacturing models in India through two of its manufacturers Wistron and Foxconn proposed investments, which is worth more than Rs 7,500 crore. Apple is also planning to set up India’s first retail destinations in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, iPhone maker 'made in India' smartphones are expected to hit Indian stores next month. All these iPhones have been assembled by Foxconn's local unit.

As per media reports, iPhone XR and XS devices are expected to hit the market in August.

Apple has time and again emphasised that India, which is the second-largest smartphone market in the world, is one of the important markets. At present, low budget smartphone brands such as Samsung, Xiaomi and Oneplus have most of the market share.