Highlights:
- Apple announces promotional price cut forIPhone XR.
- The offer starts from April 5; the MRP on the website is the same as the launch price.
- HDFC customers can also avail 10% cashback on debit and credit cards.
Apple has announced a temporary price cut on all the three variants of the iPhone XR (Review) under a promotional offer. The company said that the offer will start from April 5 and will run till the stocks last. For HDFC Bank customers, the phone will be available for further lower prices as compared to the non-HDFC customers. Moreover, Apple has also bundled some offers like cashback and No Cost EMI.
All the iPhone XR variants have got a price cut of approximately 18-22 percent. The iPhone XR 64GB, which is priced at Rs 76,900, will be available for Rs 59,900 to non-HDFC customers. For HDFC customers, the variant will be available for Rs 53,900. Similarly, the iPhone XR 128GB priced at Rs 81,900 will be available for Rs 64,900 (for non-HDFC customers) and Rs 58,400 (for HDFC customers). The iPhone XR 256GB is priced at Rs 91,900, but for non HDFC customers, it will be available for Rs 74,900 and HDFC customers can get it for Rs 67,400.
The promotional offers include 10 percent cashback on HDFC Bank debit and credit cards and the offer accepts zero payment. Further, the cashback is available for customers making a full swipe on credit or debit cards. Those who are interested in buying the phone can also avail a No Cost EMI loans from Bajaj Finance Ltd. and HDFC Bank Consumer Loans.
The move can be seen as Apple’s strategy to boost sales and address growing price competitiveness in the segment. Samsung has already launched a watered-down version of its Galaxy S10 flagship in the form of the Galaxy S10e and reports have suggested that the rumoured Google Pixel 3a will also be cheaper than the iPhone XR. Apart from being mired in legal controversies, Apple is also facing the brunt of US-China trade tensions.
On the top of that, the high cost of iPhones and intense competition from Chinese smartphone makers has been the main reason for Apple’s worst performance since 2014 in India. Last year, company CEO Tim Cook said that Apple’s India business grew from $100-200 million a few years ago to over $2 billion in 2016 and flattened out after that. Apple considers India an important market but still doesn’t want to sell cheaper iPhones in India.
