Apple slashes iPhone 6S, 6S Plus prices by up to Rs 22,000

New Delhi: Weeks ahead of the impending India launch of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, Apple has slashed prices of the previous generation handsets -- iPhone 6S and 6S Plus -- by up to Rs 22,000.

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, launched earlier this month in the US, are slated to hit the Indian market from October 7, with prices starting at Rs 60,000.

There is usually a price drop for the previous versions when a new model is announced by Apple.

According to industry sources, the iPhone 6S (128GB variant) will now be available at Rs 60,000 from its earlier price tag of Rs 82,000 -- a reduction of Rs 22,000.

The iPhone 6s Plus (128GB variant) will see a similar cut and will be available for Rs 70,000.

The 64GB version of iPhone SE, which was launched in March this year, will now be available for Rs 44,000, down from Rs 49,000.

Apple did not comment on the reduction in prices.

The Cupertino-based company is betting big on the Indian market. In July, Apple CEO Tim Cook had said that India is one of its fastest growing markets.

"In the first three quarters of this fiscal year, our iPhone sales in India were up 51 percent year-on-year," he had said on an investor call.

The company has also announced setting up of a design and development accelerator to support Indian developers creating innovative applications for iOS and has opened a new office in Hyderabad to accelerate maps development.

Cook, who visited India in May, had discussed issues including manufacturing and setting up retail stores in the country with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.