Apple says Namaste; Goes Live with First Online Store in India

For the first time, Indian Apple customer will not only be able to purchase products directly from the Apple Store, but also get direct customer support as well as trade-ins, student discounts and financing options.

A complete range of Apple products and services will be available in the online shop, which includes the iPhone line-up, the Mac computing device line-up, the iPad series, Apple Watch, Apple AirPods family, HomePod smart speaker and more. There are category specific offers lined-up as well, including trade-in and exchange offers for the iPhones, localizations and the Education Store, configure to order your Mac Computing Devices, extended range of payments and EMI options, shopping assistance in English and Hindi and Apple Care+ services.

Till now, Apple products have been sold through e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Apple authorized retailers. But now, you can buy your Apple desired product straight from the company’s store. At this time, you can buy the Apple iPhone 11 Pro, Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple iPhone 11, Apple iPhone SE and the Apple iPhone XR. You can also take your pick from the Apple iPad line-up that includes the Apple iPad Pro 12.9, Apple iPad Pro 11, the new Apple iPad and the Apple iPad Mini, while the new Apple iPad Air is set to go on sale sometime in October. The complete Mac line-up and all the other devices are also on sale.

Apple says all orders will be shipped within 24 to 72 hours; however, some of the products like Mac are currently showing shipping time of up to a month. Apple online Store also brings a trade-in program for its iPhone model where customers can exchange any eligible smartphone for credit towards a new iPhone. They will need to answer a few questions and the store will provide a trade-in value up to Rs. 35,000 that can be used to lower the price of a new iPhone. Customers will have to pay the remaining value to complete the purchase.

 Apple Store Online brings student discounts and contactless deliveries

“We are proud to be expanding in India and want to do all we can to support our customers and their communities. We know our users are relying on technology to stay connected, engage in learning by tapping into their own creativity, and by bringing the Apple Store online to India, we are offering customers the very best of Apple at this important time,” says Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Retail + People. Apple will also be implementing the contactless delivery option for all that are placed and shipped across India. Order will not require a signature to confirm receipt of delivery. Apple is partnering with Blue Dart for product shipment.

Apple also introduces a special student pricing in India for Mac and iPad to encourage online classes amid the pandemic. In addition, the tech giant is also offering discounts on accessories and Apple Care+ benefits, an extended warranty program with two years of technical support and also accidental damage cover.

Tech giant Apple is also offering a cashback of 6 percent (up to Rs. 10,000) of the cart value on purchases made using HDFC bank credit cards. The cashback will only be offered on cart value on Rs. 20,900 or more and this offer will continue through October 16, 2020.