Apple launched the new iPhone 16E on Wednesday, a new member added to the iPhone 16 family. The iPhone 16 lineup now includes five phones: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and new iPhone 16E. The current iPhone 16 series was already gathering in India, and now Apple has announced that the iPhone 16E will be gathered in India for exports along with local markets. “The entire iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16E, is being gathered in India for Indian consumers and for export to select countries. A spokesperson from Apple says, “This will be available to buy on Apple Store App on Apple Store App and Apple through favorite partners,” says a spokesperson of Apple.

Apple is setting its foot in India with retail and local assembly. Apple has been making iphones in India since 2017, with the first generation iPhone SE. Since then, Apple has collected iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 15 in India. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are also created in India for local and foreign markets. However, this was the first time Apple began the construction of the Pro variants in India, which began with the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Apple is gradually expanding its manufacturing presence in India. It initially started collecting the old and entry-level iPhone models in India. From 2021 to 2022, production was extended from the iPhone SE to the iPhone 14 alone, and by 2023, the Indo-Made iPhone 15 units were available on the day of launch. Earlier, the iPhone used to collect base models only in India and imported high storage variants. However, finally, local production included the iPhone 15 Plus, which was handled by Patron. This is a step towards Apple’s target for India, which contributes 25 percent of its total iPhone production within the next two to three years -which is part of its major plan to transfer its production from China.

Apple is also expanding retail facilities in India. Apart from Delhi and Mumbai stores in India, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed in November 2024 that the company would open four more stores in the country. The company will be opening new retail stores in Bangalore, Pune and Delhi-NCR region and one and one in Mumbai and one and one and one and one one and one.

Showing its commitment to the Indian market, last month, Apple also launched the Apple Store app in India. The Apple Store app has been available in its other markets for years, however, it was never available to users in India. The idea behind the app is to streamline access to Apple products and services in the country, which is in addition to physical stores, authorized vendors and third-party retailers who have access to customers.

On Wednesday, Apple launched the iPhone 16E. Its price starts at Rs 59,900 for the 128 GB version. The pre-order for the new iPhone starts from February 21, with delivery and sales on February 28.