Apple Sticks to Making iPhone SE model @Bengaluru Plant

Looks like Apple Inc. is going to continue producing only iPhone SE model at its Bengaluru plant  for a while and has no plan at present to assemble its flagship iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in the nation.

"Apple Inc. will focus on SE model both for India and overseas markets," a government official in Bengaluru said. "It is looking to start exports from India," the person told ET.

It is more than two months since the Cupertino-based technology giant started assembling iPhones at its original design manufacturer partner Wistron's facility in Peenya, Bengaluru.

According to the government source quoted earlier, Wistron has not made any fresh request for approval. The iPhone SE, launched on March 31 last year, is more than a year old, but remains a favourite among users. Apple flagship models are iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The much-hyped iPhone 8 is expected later this year.

"The rollout of SE will result in growth but it would be slow growth," said Tarun Pathak, associate director at Counterpoint Research. "Assembling the phones here would reduce the affordability of the aspirational value."