Apple iPhone XR serves as the cheapest way to get the iPhone X-like features. Apple iPhone XR serves as the cheapest way to get the iPhone X-like features. It was only last week that Apple opened pre-orders for the iPhone XR. Now, the smartphone has finally gone on sale through both offline and online stores in India. With the iPhone XR, Apple is bringing some of the iPhone X’s most important features like its full-screen design, Face ID and A12 Bionic chipset to affordable price points. At Rs 76,900, the iPhone XR isn’t a budget device. However, it is priced less than the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max priced Rs 99,900 and Rs 1,09,900, respectively. Here’s all you need to know about the iPhone XR including its release date, pricing in India, availability, specifications, and more. Apple iPhone XR price in India and launch date Apple iPhone XR goes on sale in India on Friday, October 26. The iPhone XR can be purchased from a number of offline retailers and Apple Authorised resellers including Imagine, Unicorn, Croma, Reliance Digital, etc. It can also be purchased from online channels like Flipkart, PayTM Mall, Amazon, Airtel, and Jio. The biggest reason why the user picks up the iPhone XR over the iPhone XS is the price. The handset starts at Rs 76,900 for the 64GB model. The 128GB variant will cost Rs 81,900 in India. The 256GB model of the iPhone XR is priced at Rs 91,900. The iPhone XR comes in multiple colour options: white, black, blue, yellow, coral and Product (RED). Also read: iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR to iPhone 6s: Full list of Apple iPhone prices in India Apple iPhone XR Launch offers The iPhone XR is listed on both Amazon India and PayTM Mall. Amazon is offering no-cost EMIs from several financial institutions including ICICI, Citi, Amazon Pay, and Bajaj Finserv EMI cards. Additionally, users are eligible to get up to ₹2000 back on MakeMyTrip, Swiggy, Freshmenu, and EazyDiner. PayTM Mall is offering Rs 7,000 exchange bonus over and above regular exchange. Meanwhile, Airtel Online Store is offering the iPhone XR at a down payment starting at Rs 14,999. Also read: Apple iPhone XR review video Apple iPhone XR specifications The iPhone XR sports a 6.1-inch LCD display with a 1792×828 display with True Tone Technology which Apple is calling ‘Liquid Retina’. The display, however, lacks 3D Touch. Instead Apple opts for a ‘Haptic Touch’ feature. It is powered by Apple’s A12 Bionic chipset, the same processor found inside the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. On the rear side, it gets a single camera, which uses software algorithms to create Portrait mode images. You will also get wireless charging support.<doc-sep>From losing key executives to losing the top spot in the premium smartphone market, 2018 has been a difficult year for Apple in India. But with the “most affordable” new iPhone of the year launching in India and elsewhere on Friday, the Cupertino giant will hope to entice buyers — new and old — in the market. The new model features an iPhone X-like display notch that includes the TrueDepth camera system, the technology that enables facial recognition feature Face ID. It also has the same A12 Bionic SoC that is powering the more premium iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS. Despite the similarities with last year's iPhone X and the latest and the greatest iPhone models, the iPhone XR starts at Rs. 76,900, making it the most affordable phone that looks like the iPhone X. The price, however, is still higher than even premium Android smartphones that have much better specifications on paper. Market analysts believe that it won't be the spec-sheet that will persuade customers to pick the iPhone XR over a top-of-the-line Android smartphone. “As compared to premium Android smartphones, the iPhone XR will fare poorly on a spec-to-spec comparison, including imaging or display,” observes Rushabh Doshi, Research Manager, Canalys. “However, Apple's appeal is not in the internals or specs. Its stickiness is high, and users who wish to remain in the ecosystem will buy an iPhone XR.” Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research echoes Doshi's belief, pointing out that the iPhone XR could be a good upgrade for iPhone users who have skipped the previous-generation iPhone models. “Hardcore Apple and rich affluent users will be willing to shell that price since it's a status symbol for them, but then that section of users is small,” Pathak, Associate Director of Counterpoint Research, tells Gadgets 360. “However, we believe that Apple strategy in India should be to sell more iPhones rather than new iPhones. Given the stickiness of the iOS ecosystem, these older iPhone users are likely to upgrade to iPhone only.” While the iPhone XR looks similar to the iPhone X and the iPhone XS models from the front, it packs an LCD display compared to the premium OLED panel on the more expensive iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. It also has a single camera sensor at the back as well as the colourful back panel that comes in Black, Blue, Coral, White, and Yellow colour options. There is also a PRODUCT (RED) colour variant to attract customers, the first time it's been available for an iPhone on launch day. Another first in the history of iPhone is the fact that Apple has added dual-SIM support. This could entice Indian customers who often use a secondary carrier either to distance their personal life from work life or to get cost-effective data benefits on one network and better network coverage on another. “Display is definitely one of the things on the iPhone XR that pulls a buyer, including Indians,” says Faisal Kawoosa, Founder of research firm TechARC. “Also, the dual-SIM functionality will let users buy it for now and be future ready when the operators could offer services through eSIMs.” “The iPhone XR is not only focusing on the the design and looks but also on the speed and technologies like the Face ID that all will push its sales in the country,” says Mumbai-based retailer Manish Khatri of Mahesh Telecom fame. “The ease of use, iOS, and brand also plays an important role.” Photo Credit: Counterpoint Research Having said that, IHS Markit's Senior Analyst for Mobile Handsets Gerrit Schneemann says that Apple still needs to justify its raised price for the entry-level iPhone XR. The most affordable new iPhone of the year is exactly Rs. 9,000 more than the price of the Galaxy Note 9, Samsung's most expensive offering. “Apple is further pushing into super-premium pricing territory, a segment where no other OEM has been able to compete,” Schneemann explains. Gagandeep Singh, who works as a store manager at iGlobal, one of Apple's Authorised Resellers in New Delhi, told Gadgets 360 that at leat five-six customers were enquiring about the successor to the iPhone X on a daily basis, ever since the launch event in Cupertino last month. He, however, considers that with the arrival of the iPhone XR in India, customers could pick it up as compared to the iPhone XS or the iPhone XS Max due to the lower price and similar design aesthetics. Khatri of Mahesh Telecom, which sells a mix of Android smartphones and different iPhone models, underlines that the people who were initially anticipating the launch of a budget iPhone this year are not likely to opt for the iPhone XR. But the retailer believes that it is Apple's brand value that will generate the demand for the upcoming model. “A five-year-old iPhone with low memory and fewer features is still selling in the market is a perfect example,” he adds. Globally, TF Industries analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had predicted right after Apple's September event that the iPhone XR will capture about 55 to 60 percent of the overall new model shipments this year, with a more recent report pegging it to be a similar success. Older iPhone models have so far been a major attraction among customers in India. Pathak of Counterpoint says that the previous-generation models capture somewhere between half to two-thirds of the total iPhone sales in the country. Thanks to regular software updates, Apple offers a similar experience across new and old iPhone models. The company also has a trend of reducing the price of its old models after announcing the new offerings. “As custom duties make the new iPhones costlier, Apple can go for a steep price cut of older generation iPhones to draw sales in India. The iPhone 7 can be the new iPhone 6 for Apple in India,” says Pathak. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple had one percent share in the overall smartphone market in India in the second quarter of this year, a number that's expected to reach two percent for the entire year. There are some key obstacles for Apple in India that could limit the sales of not just the older iPhone models but also the iPhone XR. “From a design and even hardware perspective, the iPhone XR — which looks a lot similar to the XS series — is an attractive option,” says Kiranjeet Kaur, Senior Research Manager, IDC. “But for Apple to be able to increase its market share in India, there are a lot of challenges ahead including managing its channel strategy and dealing with the higher import duties as these new models are all likely to be imported.” Kaur also states that the bigger issue for Apple is to manage its share in the $500 (roughly Rs. 36,000) range where Chinese players such as OnePlus have started to take share away from the older iPhones selling at that price point. “The iPhone 7 now and probably the iPhone XR in future (once its price drops) will likely be positioned against these growing threat from the Chinese vendors,” she concludes.<doc-sep>Apple just unveiled another trio of iPhones but this time all are deriving from the original iPhone X. They are called iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS and the iPhone XR and we are now going to compare their prices across various markets. Pricing Here's what the base 64GB models will cost you depending on where you live. Country iPhone XS iPhone XS Max iPhone XR US $999 $1,099 $750 Canada CAD 1,379 CAD 1,519 CAD 1,029 Australia AUD 1,629 AUD 1,799 AUD 1,229 Germany €1,149 €1,249 €849 Italy €1,189 €1,289 €889 UK £999 £1,099 £749 Russia RUB 87,990 RUB 96,990 RUB 64,990 UAE AED 4,229 AED 4,649 AED 3,179 Hong Kong HKD 8,599 HKD 9,499 HKD 6,499 If you are looking to upgrade the storage for the XS and XS Max, you will have to spend $150 more to go to 256GB and $350 more for the 512GB model in the US, while in Germany, for example, the price jumps are €170 and €400, respectively. In the UK, Apple asks £150 and £350 on top of the regular price. And as for the XR, it comes in 64, 128 and 256GB flavors - in the US an upgrade to 128GB will cost you $50 while $150 will get you to 256GB. In Germany, the same upgrades will set you back €60 and €170 while in the UK, these storage variants are £50 and £150 more. Availability The premium iPhone XS and XS Max models go on pre-order on September 14 and will be made available starting September 21 with the first wave including 30 countries - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, US and US Virgin Islands. The second wave consists of 29 countries will be getting the phones a week later on September 28 - Andorra, Armenia, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa. And as for the budget iPhone XR, the rumors about delayed availability turned out to be true and the handset will start selling on October 26.<doc-sep>
iPhone XR has gone on sale in countries such as Japan and Australia, and will go on sale in India post 6pm IST today via both offline and online stores. The phone will also go on sale in the US, Canada, and major European markets, among others, for the first time on Friday. To recall, the iPhone XR release date was announced at the company's keynote last month. This comes a week after the iPhone XR pre-orders began on October 19. The smartphone can be bought via offline resellers including iWorld, Unicorn, Imagine, and the likes. The iPhone XR can also be purchased online via several platforms including Flipkart, Jio, and Airtel. The most affordable offering in this year's iPhone lineup, the iPhone XR features the latest A12 Bionic SoC, a 6.1-inch LCD Liquid Retina display, several colour options, and a single rear camera. It is placed at a price point significantly lower than that of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max in India. iPhone XR launch offer To recall, IndiaiStore, Apple's official offline partner in India, lists offers for the iPhone XR including no-cost EMI plans with Bajaj FinServ; 5 percent cashback on EMI plans with Citibank credit cards or Axis Bank credit and debit cards; and 5x reward points on non-EMI, regular payments with Citibank or Axis Bank credit cards. As for the online space, Airtel Online Store is offering the new iPhone XR in India with down payments starting at Rs. 14,999. Bundled postpaid plans are also available for customers looking to reduce their monthly tariff plans. All pre-ordering customers are expected to receive their units by today, October 26. Jio also had the iPhone XR up for pre-orders last week with the same 5 percent cashback on Axis Bank or Citibank credit cards, and 5X reward points as well. Both Vodafone and Idea Cellular also announced availability of the iPhone XR for today, with offers for Vodafone Red and Idea Nirvana customers. Customers with a rental plan of Rs. 499 and above can buy the new iPhone on Vodafone.in & Ideacellular.com and avail a 48-hour home delivery in select cities post the sales start and 20 percent rental discount for 1 year. iPhone XR price in India The iPhone XR price in India was announced at the launch event held in Cupertino, California last month. The base 64GB storage variant comes in at Rs. 76,900, the 128GB storage model has been priced at Rs. 81,900, while the top-end 256GB storage version will set you back by Rs. 91,900. The smartphone goes on sale in India today in multiple colour options — Black, Blue, Coral, PRODUCT (RED), White, and Yellow. Not just India, the iPhone XR will go on sale for the first time today in several markets including Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UAE, UK, US, and US Virgin Islands. Will iPhone XR Be the Perfect iPhone for India in 2018? iPhone XR specifications The iPhone XR runs iOS 12 out-of-the-box, and sports a 6.1-inch (828x1792 pixels) LCD Liquid Retina panel with a notch on top of the TrueDepth camera and Face ID. The phone is powered by the latest six-core Apple A12 Bionic 7nm SoC, coupled with a quad-core GPU, 3GB of RAM, and 64GB/ 128GB/ 256GB of inbuilt storage. In the camera department, the iPhone XR houses a single 12-megapixel rear camera sensor with f/1.8 aperture, Focus Pixels, a 6P lens, and a quad-LED True Tone flash. The front of the handset gets a 7-megapixel selfie camera with improved Portrait Mode, f/2.2 aperture, and and a faster Face ID sensor. It has a 2,942mAh battery under the hood, with a bundled 5W charger in the box. The iPhone XR will get dual-SIM support via an eSIM at a later stage.