Apple iPhone 7, 7 plus India launch on Oct 7, from Rs 60,000

Apple's latest smartphones iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus would be available in India from October 7 at a starting price of Rs 60,000, the US-based technology giant has said, while for the first time confirming the India pricing of the gadgets at the launch event itself.

The highly-anticipated latest iPhones with advancements such as stereo speakers, water and dust resistance technology and wireless headphones were launched by Apple CEO Tim Cook at a packed event in San Francisco yesterday.

The California-headquartered company also unveiled the next generation Apple Watch and updates to its App Store and operating system iOS10.

As widely speculated, Apple also introduced 'AirPods', wireless headphones for the new phone, eliminating the traditional headphone jack.

"iPhone is the industry gold standard, the phone by which all other smartphones are compared. The iPhone has become a truly a cultural phenomenon," Cook, dressed casually for the mega-event, said.

He said Apple has now sold over a billion iPhones, making it the "best selling product of its kind in the history of the world". Announcing the new phone, Cook described the iPhone 7 as the "best iPhone that we have ever created".

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in more than 25 countries beginning September 16 and the products will be "available to customers in India beginning October 7".

The iPhone 7, with a 4.7 inch display, will cost USD 649 while the 5.5 inch iPhone7 Plus will come at a price tag of USD 769. The models will be available in silver, gold, rose gold and the new black finish in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB configurations.

The starting price would be Rs 60,000 for the 32GB iPhone model in India. "iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus dramatically improve every aspect of the iPhone experience, reaching a new level of innovation and precision to make this the best iPhone we have ever made," Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Philip Schiller said in his presentation.

He said Apple has inculcated the advanced 'A10 Fusion' chip in the new phones, "the most powerful chip on any smartphone while delivering the best battery life ever in an iPhone, and an entirely new stereo speaker system provides twice the sound, all within the first water and dust resistant iPhone".

The phones will also have an improved home button that lets users perform different tasks by varying how hard they press it, the company said. Apple has also introduced the next generation of its popular watch, the 'Apple Watch Series 2', which has been equipped with fitness and health capabilities including a water resistance 50 meter rating for swimming, built-in GPS, dual-core processor.

The watch will include a wrist-top version of the hit mobile game 'Pokemon Go'.The Series 2 watches will be available in more than 25 countries beginning September 16.

Apple also announced a tie-up with sports giant Nike for its watches and the Apple Watch Nike+ will be available to order beginning September 9, with availability in late October, in India and Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, China, France among other nations.

In India, the Apple Watch Nike+ will be available in 38 mm size at Rs 32,900 and in 42mm at Rs 34,900 from select Nike retail stores, select Apple Authorised Resellers and select speciality stores and department stores.

The Apple Watch Series 1, Apple Watch Series 2 and Apple Watch Edition will be available beginning October 7 in India and Mexico.

The Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in gold, rose gold, silver or space gray aluminium starting at USD 369 and the new ceramic Apple Watch Edition starts at USD 1249.

"We're thrilled with the response to Apple Watch and how it's changed people's lives. We are committed to fitness and health and think our customers will love the new capabilities of Apple Watch Series 2," said Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer.

"With a powerful new dual-core processor, water resistance 50 meters and built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 is packed with features to help our customers live a healthy life," Williams said. The new iPhone, which will become available in major markets on September 16, features advanced camera systems, more power and performance.

The new phones will come with the earpods with lightning connector as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack adaptor that will allow customers to use old headphones and accessories.
Apple said AirPods, which can be synced with various Apple devices, will eliminate the hassles of normal headphones and its "advanced sensors know when you are listening and automatically play and pause your music".

"New AirPods, Apple's innovative new wireless headphones, weave simplicity and technology together to reinvent the wireless experience making headphones easy to use," the company said. The AirPods including charging case will be available for USD 159 beginning in late October.