Apple is launching its new iPhone SE smartphone, but analysts are predicting it may struggle in the Indian market.
The iPhone SE has a 4 inch screen, the same quality processor and camera as is found in the iPhone 6, Apple Pay and Live Photos support, 16GB worth of storage and a touch ID fingerprint sensor. It does not have 3D Touch capabilities.
The smartphone is cheaper than a typical iPhone, costing just 450 US dollars, implying that it is aimed at emerging developing markets with a strong desire for cheap smartphones.
Analysts think that it may struggle in the Indian market, however, due to two factors.
The first is its 4 inch screen. Large screened smartphones, or “phablets”, are extremely popular in India, meaning that buying a smartphone with a much smaller than average screen may be an unappealing prospect for many Indians.
The second problem is that there are many similarly-priced but better quality and larger-screened smartphones in the Indian market. The iPhone 6 is available for a similar price on Indian ecommerce sites, and Samsung, Sony and Nexus smartphones are also available in the same price range.Â
