“We give them the same phone, in the same brand-new condition,” says one seller.
But is that really a problem though? The way I understand it, Apple make plenty of money from services too. Many people in India can’t really afford a new iPhone, but they might be able to pay for storage or music.
I don’t think it’s meant to seem concerning, just interesting, and a different perspective on Apple decisions that affect device transfer and repairability. These days I really don’t worry about Apple making ends meet.
This bit could become a problem:
Since 2012, the Indian government has mostly blocked imports of used iPhones over concerns about e-waste and domestic production. Apple repeatedly pushed to overturn the policy in the years that followed, according to reports, but the government held firm. With no old iPhones coming into the country and few new models being sold, there’s a limited number of phones that can be refurbished.
It’s easy to imagine scarcity further incentivizing iPhone thefts and expanding illegal import markets. Those are problems that would exist anyway of course, but it could make them worse.
That’s an interesting move. It totally makes sense, on both sides. India doesn’t want any e-waste and Apple want’s to get their hands on the country with the second largest population on Earth. At the moment it seems like India will be number 1 on the list sooner rather than later.
Between real Apple stores opening and iPhone manufacturing coming to India, I foresee the Indian government becoming waay more accommodating to Apple in the next five years. They aren’t stupid, they know the best way to create the same economic miracle as China is to attract foreign manufacturing, and having Apple as a crown jewel is a great way to start.
