iPad covers, Apple Pencil, Keyboard and more: Are Apple accessories easy to find and buy in India?

Ever since its conception, the iPhone is known to be a premium device, and we would go by far to say it is a measure of one’s status symbol. And, the other host of products from Apple aren’t any different. Apple is not just known for its devices, but also the gamut of accessories accompanying them. For instance, the company recently introduced USB Type-C to Lightning cable, last year’s Apple Pencil or KeyBoard, and then there are a wide variety of cases and even smartwatch straps. While a new set of devices and accessories are introduced every year, are they easy to find and buy? As an Android user, I haven’t faced any problem getting a particular phone skin or cable, but have often heard some friends (actually, Apple fanboys) complain about how they can’t get a particular accessory because its either expensive or not available. Glendon D’sousa, working with a digital media firm in Mumbai and owns an iPhone 6 said he often looks for iPhone covers, and they are available online. However, it is the pricing that is usually the problem. “I have never ended up with an Apple accessory for the iPhone because it costs like 4-5k for the original leather cover.” He isn’t the only one talking about the leather covers. Manjunath, working at an IT firm in Bangalore said that he had picked a leather case from the US for a good deal, and later realised that buying another in India would mean paying anywhere around Rs 3k to 5k. He also owns and iPad 2, and has settled for Logitech keyboard instead of Apple’s own. “The products – even cords and cables – are very sturdy, and I really didn’t need to buy any, so far,” he added. Anirban from Navi Mumbai, said that he and his friends usually face problem when looking for iPad covers or Pro accessories like the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard that are usually not available. It is surprising since Apple has a dedicated ‘Where to buy’ page that offers all the information regarding the products. It lets you lookup all the local stores offering the product close to your location. We reached out to a few retailers asking them about the availability of Apple accessories. An Andheri-based retailer said he only has Apple cables and chargers, and other products he can order from the distributor, provided someone wants to buy. Another Mumbai-based retailer said that he sells only iPhones, and not the accessories. A south Mumbai based retailer said that Apple Pencil and Apple keyboard are available at Rs 8500 and Rs 14,000 respectively. He further added that they have all accessories, and even if they are not available, they can place an order and get them within a couple of days. It seems like a problem related to limited stocks rather than non-availability. Moreover, Apple Pencils and Keyboards may not be selling dime a dozen, obviously owing to the Rs 8k and 14k price tags respectively. In case of Apple, many people end up buying the device after it has received a couple of price cuts, and this may make finding an older iPad case or keyboard more difficult. If you own an Apple device, do share your experience in the comments section below.