Apple iPhone 8 models launching in India on Sept 29 at 6 PM: Older iPhone models to be discontinued

If you are looking forward to buying the new Apple devices then you will be getting hands on the device sooner than expected. Besides, the Cupertino based company has now set the time for India launch of iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus to 6 pm on September 29. The company is advancing the time so as to ensure that the company gets greater number of sales in the stipulated time. However, in the past, Apple normally put up the sale of new devices at midnight or late evening.

In any case, Indian consumer will be getting the new phones after a week of them going on sale in the U.S. As per ET's report, the company is aiming to make the new iPhones, watch and Apple TV available on September 29 in India at more than 10,000 retailers. It looks like Apple is gearing up to make the company's biggest launch in India. According to two senior industry executives, Apple is targeting over 50 percent growth in sales compared to last year.

Industry executives, who spoke to the Economic Times said Apple will conduct the consumer launch event in leading malls on September 29 across nine cities including the National Capital Region, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, and Hyderabad.

The Executives have also said that the company will be releasing advertising campaigns covering airport, digital, radio, and print to build the buzz on its website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram from September 18.

An Apple India spokesperson has stated that keeping in mind the customer excitement, "India is among the top markets to get the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus a week after the US. "This is the earliest iPhone has ever been available for customers in India," he said.

Pre-bookings of the new iPhones will be held on September 22 in India and special launch day cashback offer will be provided for consumers using Citibank cards that will ensure the India pricing to match that in the U.S. Cashback of Rs 10,000 will be offered on the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and Rs. 15,000 for consumers who are buying a new iPhone and Watch Series 3 together.

Apple India will launch the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in 64GB and 256GB models starting from Rs 64,000. As for the new watches, it will retail at Rs. 29,900 and Rs. 31,900.

The iPhone X will be launched in India at the same time as other big markets including the U.S. on November 3 and will come at a starting price of Rs. 89,000.

Interestingly, after the new launches, Apple has plans to discontinue the iPhone 5s and iPhone 7 Plus models. The range will run from the iPhone SE (32 GB and 128 GB) starting at Rs 26,000, iPhone 6 32GB at Rs 29,500, iPhone 6S (32 GB and 128 GB) starting at Rs 40,000 to iPhone 7 (32 GB and 128 GB) from Rs 49,000 besides the new models.