Apple’s first batch of iPhone SE smartphones, which are assembled in India, have reportedly been made available in select stores in Bengaluru. The device is priced at ₹27,200 for the 32GB model and ₹37,200 for the 128 GB model.

The devices of this batch have the following imprint on them: “Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in India”. Once we have clarity over the GST roll out, the production of Apple in India is expected to grow.

Sources who are aware of the development said that Apple’s resellers and other retail partners have a few tens of units of the new ‘Assembled in India’ phones in Bengaluru.

Taiwanese company Wistron, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of Apple globally, has shipped a few thousand iPhone SE units out of its facility in the city’s industrial hub of Peenya.

This marks India as the third country where the production of Apple’s iPhone is taking place. It also underlines how important market India has become for the company.

Sales of Apple iPhone in China are saturating. Last month, Apple said it is beginning initial production of a small number of iPhone SEs in Bengaluru and would begin shipping to domestic customers. The units are assembled by Apple’s Taiwanese manufacturing partner Wistron.

Apple wants to bring its component manufacturers to India to make parts and export finished phones and is seeking tax concessions on import of key components. However, the central government has rejected most of the demands of the US-based tech giant.

This assembly line could also enable Apple to increase the sale of its cheapest iPhone as the company’s sales continue to drop down in some of the fastest growing markets. This is a cause of concern for Cupertino, who believes the assembly plant in India could also help the company in other South Asian regions as well.

If the trial run goes as expected by the company, Apple is planning to establish an official online presence in the country. With the iPhone SE, the company will also debut its digital marketplace to sell its device(s) directly to the netizens of India.