Apple’s iPhone 4S makes India debut

NEW DELHI (Reuters): The iPhone 4S, the final gadget unveiled during Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ lifetime, hit store shelves in India on Friday with a starting price of Rs. 44,500.

At about four times the US retail price where customers buy mandatory data-service plans, the phone may still find buyers among affluent young professionals in India who are snapping up iconic brands and luxury items.

Unlike their Western peers, Indian mobile operators do not subsidise cost of phones.

Airtel and Aircel are selling the 16 GB model for Rs. 44,500, with the 32 GB version priced at Rs. 50,900 and the 64 GB model available for Rs. 57,500.

Media reports last week said Indian fans were unhappy that the smartphone would be more expensive in India than anywhere else in the world.

Both mobile operators, which started selling the iPhone 4S from midnight on Friday, are offering discounted data plans.

The gadget is more expensive than the iPad 2 in India, with the base model of the tablet selling for Rs. 27,900. Even its top-end model, with 64 GB of memory and WiFi & 3G, costs Rs. 46,900.

The new iPhone comes with a faster processor, a better light-sensitive camera, and voice-activated software “Siri”.