Apple's iPhone 8 May Cost You Over 1 Lac, But That's Good News Even If You Can't Buy It

If you¡¯ve seen any of the leaks surrounding the upcoming iPhone 8, you know it sounds like a one heck of a device. No bezels, face scan unlock, better cameras, wireless charging, and the standard sexy lines and curves you¡¯ve come to expect from an iPhone. Of course, if you want to actually buy the device, you may be in for a rude awakening.

In the past, the latest iPhone has always been priced starting at around $650 in the US, including the last iPhone 7. That translated to a launch price of Rs 60,000 in India, once the device crossed the ocean. Instead, if rumours are to be believed, the iPhone 8 is more likely to be priced somewhere in the range of $1,200 (approximately Rs 76,500) That means, if you're sitting here in India and expect to grab the new flagship on launch day, you can expect to fork over more than a lakh for Apple's device. Yes, that¡¯s a heck of a lot more. However, it may not be all gloom and doom for you Apple fans.

Think about all the stuff you¡¯ve seen in iPhones over the years. Apple was the first to develop a touchscreen device that was music player, mobile phone and Internet device rolled into one. It¡¯s camera innovations like True Tone flash and Live Photos have driven forward smartphone imaging, and it pioneered the concept of an app store, as did Android, in 2008. For all of that innovation to happen, companies need to have the resources necessary, and be at the top of their game.

Apple is already there, a multi-billion dollar corporation that¡¯s clearly a luxury brand. By pricing the iPhone 8 at over a thousand dollars or more than a lakh -- as it's rumoured to do, it clearly becomes a premium product, a device for only the elite. And yet, it¡¯s still just about within reach for some of you willing to pay the EMIs. That way, you feel a sense of pride in being a part of this elite club. You may want the latest iPhone, and there¡¯s nothing wrong with that. And even if you could upgrade to the still desirable iPhone 7s or 7s Plus strongly rumoured to be released alongside the iPhone 8, that's still great.

But even if you don¡¯t buy the new iPhone, you should be glad knowing someone¡¯s willing to shell out that amount. Because when that happens, Apple¡¯s sales continue, and it receives the profit margin it¡¯s looking for in order to continue to innovate. I know what some of you are thinking and yes, there are a lot of things Apple has done second to Google¡¯s Android. But sometimes they¡¯ve done it better, and other times even done it first.

Here's why the next iPhone matters very much even for Android users

It's crucial that Apple keeps building what's perceived to be expensive smartphones with fancy features. It's been doing that since Steve Jobs first introduced the original iPhone back in 2007, a pivotal moment in shaping the modern smartphone industry. Because of Apple's allure and the iPhone's perception, it spurs other manufacturers to bring you phones with similar or better features within your budget faster than ever.

After all, your budget phone might be perfect for most people¡¯s needs, but the thirst for the latest features is relentless. That¡¯s why the competition in the premium sphere is fierce, that¡¯s why it¡¯s where the most innovation happens, often at a high initial price. Dual cameras started out in the premium segment, and ever since Apple debuted the iPhone 7 Plus with that feature, competing Android manufacturers rushed out of the block to sell phones with similar feature. That's why now you can get smartphones with that capability for under Rs 20,000.

So take a deep breath, stow away your outrage at the ridiculous price, and remember you¡¯ll eventually benefit from the next Apple iPhone.