Just when you thought Apple might revise its strategy in India and would reduce the prices of its iPhones to improve sales, the company seems to be going in the opposite direction. According to a new report by The Economic Times, Apple might stop selling the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in India and pull them out of stores where sales don't exceed 35 units per month. Additionally, the company might hike the entry price of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus rather than reduce it.

Apple's new strategy is to embrace its premium position in India by making its iPhones more expensive than they already are. The report cites three senior industry executives who say that Apple may increase the entry price of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus by more than Rs 5,000. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are currently selling for Rs 29,900 and Rs 48,900, respectively. Apple has been steadily increasing the price of its entry-level iPhone in India since last year. The iPhone SE was the cheapest iPhone last year with a price tag of Rs 21,000, but it is now available for Rs 24,500. The iPhone 6 is currently the cheapest at Rs 24,000.

"It (Apple) wants to reinforce the brand's 'premiumness' in the Indian market and increase average selling prices. Apple has no plans to immediately drop prices of iPhone 6s, which is locally manufactured," an executive said to The Economic Times.

Apple new strategy also involves expanding the number of Apple Authorised Resellers that are over 500 sqft and the company wants each trade partner to have more the one such store. Additionally, Apple plans to exit outlets that are less than 350-400 square feet and those that sell less than 35 iPhones per month.

"Apple wants fewer trade partners in India, and to deepen the relationship with them. This is to improve the selling experience and ensure compliance of the store as per its terms. The larger Apple Premium Reseller stores, too, are a big focus area," an executive said.

Apple has been struggling with iPhone sales in India due to higher prices following hikes in import duties last year and competition from OnePlus and Samsung that are selling premium handsets at more reasonable prices. The latest move by Apple to pull out the iPhone 6 series and hike the prices of its entry-level iPhone 6s series could do more harm than good, but only time will tell whether the strategy pays off.

In a recent earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook cited multiple reasons why iPhone sales have been struggling in emerging markets. One factor he mentioned was that "customers are holding on to their older iPhones a bit longer than in the past." Following this, the general expectation was that Apple would reduce the prices of its iPhones to make it easier for consumers to upgrade, but this seems unlikely according to the latest report.