8GB iPhone 5c coming to India: Will Apple's new gamble pay off?

Apple introduced an 8GB version of the colourful iPhone 5c in select markets this March and it looks like India will also be getting a taste of the entry-level model soon.

NDTV Gadgets claims its sources say the 8GB model will be launched soon and could retail for under Rs 35,000 when it comes to stores. However, the European price difference between the 8 and 16GB models is $50, which could mean a slightly higher price than Rs 35,000.

The 8GB model is being launched just a week after the iPhone 4 was withdrawn from India . The iPhone 5c features a faster processor and an improved camera, so it’s a much better showcase for iOS 7 and even iOS 8 .

While the speculated pricing is great for a relatively modern iPhone, The big barrier for most buyers would be the limited storage capacity and this could end up hurting Apple’s fortunes. Given the sluggish mobile internet in India, there’s limited reliance on cloud storage for mobile devices. For example, the 8GB Moto G on Flipkart saw considerably lower demand than the 16GB model. The 16GB Moto G was out of stock within hours of its arrival , but the lower capacity version stayed on shelves longer, as the retailer pointed out. And the Moto G, just like the iPhone 5c, has limited storage. So it’s definitely a big risk, and could back-fire easily.

The company would be bullish about the prospects of a cheaper iPhone 5C, given the success of previous cheaper models and the increase in sales this past quarter . On the back of iPhone 4 and 4S sales, the company is said to have increased the iOS user base by 25 percent within a year. If the 8GB iPhone 5c gambit works, the number could be bigger soon.