Jaideep Ghosh, director, KPMG, argues that just as the BlackBerry took a while to break into India, eventually launching its devices across operators, "I see Apple taking the same route".

BlackBerry devices were earlier exclusively available on Airtel networks for almost 12 months, before the offer was extended to other GSM and CDMA operators.

Manufacturers like Nokia, Samsung and LG have an access to a wider range of subscribers since their devices are not exclusive to any particular mobile operator.

Anshul Gupta, principal analyst, Gartner, opines that Nokia, Samsung, BlackBerry, LG and Sony Ericsson with their new devices can spoil Apple's joyride in India.

"A steep price of Rs 36,000 definitely mars Apple iPhone's sales, especially when high-end, multi-media smartphones from Nokia, BlackBerry and Samsung are now available at Rs 25,000 or even less."

He is not ruling out the first few thousands, who would switch to Apple iPhone, "but they would be the ones who have seen or experienced Apple products."

Image: A replica of LG's latest mobile phone is displayed at the CommunicAsia 2008 exhibition in Singapore on June 18, 2008. | Photograph: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images

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