Apple isn’t happy about India’s demand to upgrade older iPhones with USB-C::Apple has urged the Indian IT ministry to make changes to its single charger rules, as adding USB-C to older iPhone models will make it hard for Apple to meet production targets for India’s manufacturing and export laws.
Well, that’s not exactly the demand. The demand is simply that if they wish to sell a product in the country, it meets their regulatory specifications by June 2025. Apple doesn’t have to upgrade their older models, they could also simply stop selling them.
But if they wish to sell a product, it must meet the manufacturing requirements of the region in which they wish to sell. Hardly a big deal if you ask me.
How many do they really sell in India though? It doesn’t matter how old and crappy your iPhone is, there’s a cheaper Android phone. Android is like 95% of phones out there.
Apple’s marketshare in India is (1) tiny and (2) largely driven by older models. I know 2 people who have iPhones. I know 4 people who have Jiophones (Firefox OS).
I think you’re absolutely correct here. I’ll point out that they are a luxury product and among the wealthy, highly popular. And while they don’t capture a large portion of the units sold, they capture a large portion of revenues. On top of that, Apple’s market share has grown by 1/3 year over year while cell phone sales were flat.
None of this changes anything and think Apple should comply, but I see why they might. I guess I don’t see a situation where they wouldn’t complain. These companies are so emotional.
India is 6% of Apple’s market, and growing.