Apple launched the iPhone 7 back in 2016. Three years later, the Cupertino based company has expanded its ‘Make in India’ portfolio by starting production of iPhone 7 in the country. Apple already assembles the iPhone SE and iPhone 6s models at its Bengaluru facility. Taiwanese manufacturer Wistron which makes those phones has been producing the iPhone 7 since the beginning of March. “We are proud to be producing iPhone 7 in Bengaluru for local customers, furthering our long-term commitment in India,” the company said in an emailed statement.
In India, price is a main factor while purchasing a smartphone, and the iPhone is considered to be expensive. The cost of manufacturing iPhones in India is cheaper compared to importing because of the duty concessions and tax burden from the government. However, as per an ET report, it is highly unlikely that Apple will slash the price of the iPhone 7 even after starting production here. The report further adds that Apple could phase out the iPhone 6 and 6s in India, which are currently the company’s cheapest devices in India. If that happens, the iPhone 7 could become the entry-level model in the country.
As for the technical specifications, the iPhone 7 features a 4.7-inch Retina display. It is powered by the Apple A10 Fusion chipset coupled with 2GB RAM. The device sports a 12MP rear camera and 7MP front camera. The iPhone 7 is IP67-rated water-resistant, offers an improved battery life (compared to the iPhone 6s) and runs on iOS 12. The base variant i.e. 32GB retails at Rs 39,900, while the higher 128GB model bears a price tag of Rs 49,900.