Apple’s announcement that the ‘made in India’ iPhone 15 will still be priced higher than in the US or Dubai has left many Indian netizens disappointed. The iPhone 15 will cost Rs 79,900 in the US, while the same model will be priced at Rs 66,000 in the US and approximately Rs 77,000 in Dubai. The iPhone 15 Plus will be priced at Rs 89,900 in India, compared to Rs 74,600 in the US and Rs 85,857 in Dubai. The new iPhones will be available in India from September 22.

The netizens expressed their disappointment, questioning the purpose of having the iPhone made in India if it doesn’t result in lower prices. Some suggested that Apple does not pass on the benefits of local manufacturing, assembly, and local parts suppliers to the consumers, and instead, fixes prices based on their revenue in US dollars.

Analysts explained that several iPhone components are still imported after the payment of import duty, and the scale of business in India is much lower compared to the US or Dubai. This could be a reason behind the higher prices of the ‘made in India’ iPhone models.

However, one positive aspect is that the availability of the iPhone 15 in India will be on the same day as in the rest of the world. This was emphasizedMoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who also highlighted that the iPhone 15 will feature the NavIC GPS satellite system developedISRO.

In addition to the pricing disappointment, Apple unveiled the next generation of iPhones, which will include improved cameras, faster processors, and a new charging system. The top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro Max will see a price hike of $100 compared to the previous version, reaching $1,200. The basic iPhone 15 will be priced at $800, the iPhone 15 Plus at $900, and the iPhone 15 Pro at $1,000. All models will be available in stores from September 22.

One significant change introducedApple is the switch to the USB-C standard for charging, following a European regulator mandate to phase out the Lightning port cables in 2024. This transition may not be inconvenient for consumers as the USB-C standard is already widely used.

The iPhone 15 models have also undergone a redesign, featuring a shape-shifting cutout on the display screen called the “Dynamic Island” for app notifications. The premium models will be equipped with what Apple claims is the equivalent of seven camera lenses, including a periscope-style telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom. The premium models will be encased in titanium.

Apart from the iPhones, Apple also announced its next generation of smartwatches, the Series 9 Apple Watch, with new features such as gesture control for controlling alarms and answering phone calls.