The hypercompetitive smartphone market in India is replete with smartphones, across price bands, that offer very little to distinguish them, whether it be in terms of specifications or even colors (really, blue is the new black!). Well, not quite! Take, for instance, Realme, 2018’s breakout smartphone brand that has come up with the Realme X. …
As India-US teams meet to resolve trade bumps, Apple gets a big boost
Even as India and the US were engaged in hectic talks to smooth over ruffled trade ties, in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s warning India that high tariffs on American products were “no longer acceptable”, the Indian government has been quietly giving top US brands such as Apple and Walmart relaxations in FDI …
Qualcomm 215 Mobile Platform for Entry-level Smartphones
India represents one of the world’s fastest growing smartphone markets, with the smartphone market growing by around 10% in 2018. A confluence of factors, driven by a growing aspirational class getting more connected, via increased availability, accessibility and affordability of devices and data have contributed to this market growth. The smart feature phones and, more …
Apple is one step closer to setting up its retail stores in India
Apple hasn’t had much to celebrate in India of late, but 2019 is becoming a turning point for the company. The Indian government has signed off on two key factories, allowing Apple to locally manufacture iPhones. That’s a huge deal because India has a prohibitive 30% import tax on devices that are imported from other …
Skilling millennials in disruptive tech will take India to USD 5 trillion mark
To make India a $5 trillion economy by 2024-2025 as the fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 knocks at the door, the country urgently requires a renewed focus on skilling the youth in advanced technologies as robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, data analytics and quantum computing. The onus to create …
India Changes Foreign Investment Rules for the Single Brand Retail Sector giving Apple the Green Light for its First Store
In February Patently Apple posted a report titled “The Lack of Flagship Apple Stores in India is Damaging Apple’s Premium Brand. Then in early May a new rumor surfaced that after the Indian elections there could be some movement on allowing Apple to proceed with their first flagship Apple Store in India. Modi went on …
Budget 2019: India to ease local sourcing norms for single brand retail, Apple benefits
India’s plans to ease local sourcing rules in single brand retail are set to help Apple the most among other foreign companies such as OnePlus and Oppo wanting to open their own stores in India, said analysts and sector watchers. The move is aimed at attracting higher foreign investment at a time when global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows …
Relaxed Local Sourcing Norms for Single Brand Retail Will Boost Economy, Experts Say
The government’s decision to relax local sourcing norms for foreign direct investment (FDI) in single brand retail trading would not in anyway upset the equilibrium of the organic retail and would add to our economy, industry experts said on Friday. In a boost for companies like Apple, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday announced to …
The US-China Trade War, and India’s Tryst With Destiny
The ongoing US-China trade war represents a seminal moment in trade history with significant promise for a clear realignment of global value chain. In July 2018, US President Donald Trump followed through on his threats, and imposed sweeping tariffs on China for its alleged unfair trade practices. The US imposed higher tariffs on US$250Bn worth …
Ease in local sourcing norms big boost for firms like Apple
In a boost for smartphone makers like Apple and horde of Chinese vendors to open exclusive retails stores in the country, the government on Friday announced to relax the mandatory 30 per cent local sourcing norms for FDI in the single-brand retail sector. Tech companies have time and again reiterated that it was difficult for …