iPhone 5 to be costliest in India?

BANGALORE, INDIA: Here is shocking news for all those expecting Apple iPhone 5 to be affordable in India. If Apple keeps its word on selling the iPhone 5 at the current price of the iPhone 4S, it will still be the costliest iPhone in the world.

Apple has announced the iPhone 5 price tag of both locked and unlocked versions for the US market. The prices of locked versions starts from $199 (Rs. 10,747) for 16GB - $399 (Rs. 21,549) for 64GB while unlocked version costs- 16GB at $649 (Rs. 35,050), 32GB at $749 (Rs. 40,451) and the 64GB model will be priced at $849 (Rs. 45,852).

If Apple sells the iPhone 5 at the current iPhone 4S price in India, it would still be expensive. 

Here is a comparison between the iPhone 4S prices (Unlocked) in US and probable prices in India.

16GB

USA: Rs. 35,050

India: Rs. 44,500

32GB

USA: Rs. 40,451

India: Rs. 50,900

64GB

USA:   Rs. 45,852

India: Rs. 57,500

Apple sells iPhone 4S (locked version) with select telecom providers in US, while in India, it sells with bundled offering from partner mobile operators.

Here are the current prices of the iPhone 4S with various resellers in India:

Airtel Stores

Apple iPhone 4S 16GB Rs. 44,500

Apple iPhone 4S 32GB Rs. 50,900

Apple iPhone 4S 64GB Rs.  57,500 (Out Of Stock)

Aircel Stores

iPhone 4S (64GB, Black/White)  Rs. 57,500

iPhone 4S (32GB, Black/White)   Rs. 50,900

iPhone 4S (16GB, Black/White) Rs. 44,500

iPhone 4 (32GB, Black/White) Rs. 40,900

Croma Online stores

Apple iPhone 4 Mobile Phone (8GB, White)  Rs. 34,994.00

iStore Reliance Digital

iPhone 4S (64GB, White) Airtel/Aircel Rs. 57,500