Apple introduces international warranty for iPhones in India, but there’s a catch

Now, you don’t need to worry about the warranty when buying an iPhone from abroad. But, there are some riders with the new facility.

Great news for Apple fans in India. (REUTERS)

Apple has quietly introduced the international warranty facility for its phones in India, which means people who have bought iPhones in the US or any other country outside India will receive warranty privileges here as well. But, there's a catch.

The warranty is only for iPhones that are factory unlocked.

In various markets, Apple sells phones in partnerships with network providers. The deals usually mean the phones are available for a low initial cost but buyers commit to stay with the provider for a fixed period. People often buy phones abroad using such plans and force an unlock, which enables the devices to be used in India. Such devices will not be eligible for the international warranty.

According to our sources, the international warranty coverage for iPhones was implemented a few weeks ago, though Apple's website does not categorically mention the change in their terms and conditions.

Prior to the phones, Apple has been offering international warranty on a variety of its products.

The introduction of the international warranty is expected to encourage a lot of users to buy iPhones from markets where the prices are lower than India.

Here, iPhones cost more than in countries such as Dubai and Hong Kong. The iPhone X, which starts at ₹89,000 in India, is available for approximately ₹71,400 in Dubai. Before purchasing the iPhone from abroad, we recommend you read the terms and conditions carefully. For example, iPhone models in Dubai don't support FaceTime.

While the new facility is going to delight a lot of Apple enthusiasts, it may also encourage people to buy iPhones from the grey market. A lot of people hesitate in buying imported iPhones because of warranty concerns. But with the availability of international warranty, the grey market could see a newfound interest.

"The international warranty facility will encourage people to buy the iPhones from abroad. But as far as the grey market go, people may no longer hesitate in exploring this option. Warranty was one of the key concerns for buyers when purchasing a device from such places. However, the facility is unlikely to impact Apple's mass sales in India," said Parv Sharma, analyst at CounterPoint Research. DON'T MISS: A visual history of the iPhone