Apple to open new retail stores in India later this year, confirms CEO Tim Cook
Apple has confirmed that its phase two retail expansion in India will officially kick off later this year with new stores expected to further its reach and connect with customers. Today, it has two physical stores, but soon four more will be added, bolstering its footprint and giving buyers more options to experience and buy a wide range of Apple devices from iPhone to Mac, Apple Watch and iPad.advertisementThe announcement came during Apple's fiscal Q2 2025 earnings call, where CEO Tim Cook highlighted the company's steadfast growth in global markets, including India.CEO Tim Cook confirms India retail expansion'We set a number of quarterly records in countries and regions across the world, including India,' Cook said. 'In retail, in addition to the two stores we opened during the quarter, we're also looking forward to a new retail store in the UAE, the arrival of the online store in Saudi Arabia, and new retail stores in India starting later this year.'
The launch was imminent. Though Apple has not shared the exact locations, we know that new Apple stores are in the pipeline for Pune, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Earlier this year, the company started hiring for these stores.advertisementApple's retail journey In India started with the online store - Apple Store Online - in 2020. The company doubled down on 'online' with the Apple Store app India edition in January 2024. The first wave of physical Apple Stores - where you can touch and feel the devices before buying - came in April 2023, beginning with Mumbai (BKC) and Delhi (Saket). Apple says the stores have received a phenomenal response.India becomes key iPhone manufacturing hub for the US marketApple and India seem inseparable at the moment. It's as if the stars have aligned. Beyond retail, Apple is also actively strengthening its manufacturing base and capabilities in the country. Cook has previously emphasised that Apple must make in India in order to stay competitive, a need that has only become stronger in the wake of growing uncertainty around tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, particularly on China.There have been reports that Apple was looking to move much of the iPhone manufacturing to India for US-bound shipments to offset the impact and keep prices from going up significantly. Those reports have now been confirmed to be true.'For the June quarter, we do expect the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. will have India as their country of origin,' Cook said.advertisementWhen asked about any potential impact the tariffs might have on prices - now and in the future - Cook said while the company was able to streamline everything properly and efficiently in this quarter, in the next quarter, there could be an additional burden of around $900 million if the current tariff regime remains unchanged. Whether Apple will absorb the cost or pass it on to the buyer remains unclear.Regardless, it is imperative that Apple moves quickly to diversify its manufacturing, reducing dependency on China which has been slapped by a tariff of a staggering 145 percent (in response, China has increased tariffs on American imports to 125 percent). Most Apple products for sale outside the US will continue to be made in China, Cook has reiterated, but iPhones and other devices meant for the US will be split between India and Vietnam, the latter serving as the country of origin for most iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and AirPods.As of 2025, Apple makes the entire iPhone 16 lineup locally, from the entry-level iPhone 16e to the high-end iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. It is almost certain that the upcoming iPhone 17 series will be made in India, too. Apple began manufacturing in India in 2017.Apple Q2 2025 resultsApple reported revenue of $95.4 billion, a 5 percent increase year over year, and earnings per share of $1.65, up 8 percent, in the second quarter ended March 29, 2025. Though the iPhone 16e, iPad Air and Mac refreshes launched recently were mentioned, Apple did not give any specific numbers reflecting how they have been performing. The company saw double-digit growth in Services, which refers to the suite of subscription-based and digital content offerings that it has beyond hardware. These include iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade and more. Apple's installed base of active devices also hit an 'all-time high' across all regions and product lines during the quarter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
I for…? You'll be amazed to know what the ‘i' in iPhone stands for!
I for interesting, I for intriguing, I for invigorating! But what does the 'i' stand for in iPhones? Is it the internet? Or is it the personal pronoun, with a wee bit of narcissism attached to it Nearly two decades after the debut of the first iPhone, Apple enthusiasts continue to ponder a curious question: What does the enigmatic 'i' stand for? Throughout Apple's journey, the letter 'i' has graced a multitude of its iconic products, from the iPod and iPhone to the iMac and iPad. At this point, this branding has become more than just a letter; it has evolved into a powerful symbol of the company's innovative spirit. Over time, fans and users on social media have concocted various theories to decode the meaning behind the 'i.' Many believe it connects to the internet, hinting at the groundbreaking capabilities these devices offered. Others suggest it represents the personal pronoun 'I,' emphasizing the individual user's experience. Speculation also swirls around concepts like intelligence, information, and even a nod to the operating system, 'iOS'. One internet user on X playfully proposed that it stands for 'individual,' as in the unique devices tailored for personal use. When asked about the meaning of 'i' in the Apple products, Grok, the a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, came up with a concise response, saying, 'The "I" in iPhone likely stands for Internet, individual, instruct, inform, and inspire, as Steve Jobs explained during the 1998 iMac launch. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo These meanings reflect Apple's focus on connectivity, personalization, guidance, information, and innovation. However, Apple hasn't officially confirmed a single definition, leading to speculation like intelligence or iOS. The flexibility of the "I" seems intentional, fueling ongoing debate.' However, the internet has different opinions, as some users strongly suggested that the 'i' in the iPhone stood for 'idiot', saying, 'To save you time reading the article, it stands for "idiot." The late Steve Jobs, Apple's visionary founder and the mastermind behind the iPhone, did shed some light on this mystery before his passing in 2011. As reported by Reader's Digest, the 'i' in Apple's pioneering product, the iMac, originally highlighted its cutting-edge internet technology when it launched in 1998. At the time, the idea of a computer with robust internet capabilities was revolutionary, and Apple wanted to celebrate that leap in innovation. However, as Apple flourished, so did the meaning of the 'i.' Jobs later revealed that it could encompass a range of interpretations. In addition to signaling internet connectivity, he suggested that it could personify concepts such as individualism, instruction, information, and inspiration—all qualities central to Apple's mission. He even hinted at the idea of 'I' as representing the personal connection users have with their devices, as well as the educational potential they harness. Now, with the latest enhancements in Apple's AI technology integrated into newer iPhone models, the concept of 'intelligence' becomes an increasingly fitting interpretation of this iconic letter. Ultimately, according to Jobs, the 'i' was never meant to be pinned down to a single definition; rather, it encapsulated the essence of innovation, inspiration, and the visionary nature of the Apple brand. Today, as customers continue to explore the fascinating world of Apple products, the mystery of the 'i' remains a testament to the company's ever-evolving legacy. What Was I Made For?
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Noida businessman dies as cabbie ‘falls asleep' & rams car into truck on DND Flyway
Noida: A city businessman who had booked a cab to go to Delhi airport at dawn died after the driver allegedly fell asleep and crashed into a truck. Rakesh Kumar, CEO of TechnoConcept India Pvt Ltd, had booked an Uber at 4am on June 11 to reach IGI Airport for a flight to Bengaluru. But the car allegedly crashed into a stationary truck on the DND Flyway within minutes of the trip. Kumar died on the spot. The family of the 59-year-old businessman has now accused the ride-hailing company of negligence. They claimed the company neither alerted them about the accident nor flagged a long halt in the trip. They also said the app showed a different destination after the crash. According to his daughter, Shriti Arora, both she and her mother received a crash notification from his iPhone around 4am. "We initially didn't understand what it meant. My mother tried calling my father several times. There was no response. I checked his location, and it showed he was still on the DND flyover," she told TOI. They rushed to the spot and found the car mangled under the rear of a tempo truck near the MCD toll. Passersby informed them that a man was trapped inside. "We found my father unconscious in the car, with no pulse," Arora said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He was later declared dead at AIIMS Trauma Centre. The driver, Sudhir, who survived the crash, claimed a tyre burst led to the collision. But Arora said passersby told her the driver admitted he had fallen asleep. She has also shared photographs of the vehicle with all tyres intact with the police. One of the family's main grievances is Uber's silence. The company, they said, did not reach out after the accident. The app also displayed a destination change — from IGI Airport to AIIMS Trauma Centre — without explanation. The driver allegedly ended the trip around 11am, several hours after the crash. "The company should have noticed the unusually long halt," Arora said. "Instead, they did nothing until we went public on social media on June 15." Uber only responded after the family shared details of the incident online, eventually providing information about an insurance coverage. An FIR was filed at Delhi's Mayur Vihar Phase 1 police station under BNS sections 106 (causing death by negligence), a bailable offence, besides 281 (rash driving) and 125 (acts that endanger the life or personal safety of others due to rash or negligent behaviour). TOI tried to reach out to Uber but got no response.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
iFold coming? Apple's first flip iPhone could debut soon, but it won't be cheap - specs, camera and all details
Apple is reportedly working on its first foldable iPhone , a flip-style device with a large screen and a hefty price tag. This release could redefine iPhones to a significantly greater extent. According to seasoned industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is prepared to enter the market with a folding iPhone the following year. The device will feature a large, seamless screen that flips like a Motorola Razr, as per a report by The US Sun. The California tech giant is almost ready to unveil the device that can be folded in half. Folding designs have been used by tech giants in recent years to fit larger screens into smaller devices. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Women Ever Today's NYC Undo ALSO READ: Hailey Bieber ditches wedding ring on NYC outings, fueling buzz around Justin divorce speculation When will Apple's first flip iPhone be launched? According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it could be released in 2026, challenging Samsung and Motorola in the expanding foldable phone market with its sleek, crease-free design. Live Events According to recent market rumors, Apple has ordered 15–20 million foldable iPhones, according to Kuo of TF Securities. Based on checks across multiple components, this volume likely reflects cumulative demand over the products 2-3 year lifecycle, rather than 2026 alone. In the second half of 2026, Kuo anticipates that the foldable iPhone will "enter mass production" and begin shipping millions of units annually, including in 2027 and 2028, as per a report by The US Sun. What are the specifications of this much-anticipated Apple's first flip iPhone? This confirms a previous report by The Information that "the V68" is the internal codename for the foldable iPhone , which could be released as early as 2026. Earlier this year, reports suggested that it would be the first smartphone to fold without a "crease" on the screen. According to reports, Samsung Display, which has been supplying Apple with iPhone screens for years, is building the screen itself. Kuo said earlier this year that the phone would have a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.-inch internal screen. What will the new flip iPhone cost? According to reports, it would retail for between $2,000 and $2,500, which is more like £1,500 to £1,850. However, given the current price of Apple devices, you would anticipate seeing between £2,000 and £2,500 because UK markups include tax, as per a report. Is there any official confirmation from Apple? However, Apple hasn't disclosed any intentions to release a foldable iPhone, though. The company hasn't even released any detailed plans for the iPhone 17 , which should be available in a few months. FAQs When will the flip iPhone be released? Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst, believes this could happen in 2026. How much will it cost? It would cost around $2,000-$2,500, making it one of Apple's most expensive phones.
