Eleven months after Apple’s next-generation smartphones hit the stores worldwide, the iPhone 4 was launched today in India, the world’s second biggest market for mobile phones.

Declaring the roll-out of one of the most expected smartphones in the world by Bharti Airtel here and in 34 other cities in India, the Airtel CEO (West Bengal and Orissa), Mr P.D. Sharma, told PTI that the iPhone 4 will create a separate space from the clutter of smartphones in the market, many of them having copied Apple features.

“iPhone 4 will stand out for its original applications and cater to the middle segment as well, with attractive pricing which will not create a pinch both in the long and short-term,” Mr Sharma said on the sidelines of the launch here.

Asked about the delay of almost one year in the launch of the product in India after its launch in the US in June, Mr Sharma said, “With third generation (3g) mobile networks only coming of age in recent times in India, there was no other option but the iPhone 4 to wait.”

“The handset will be priced at Rs 34,500 with 16-GB capacity and Rs 40,900 with 32-GB capacity, which is attractive considering the long-term use. The set is powered by Apple’s A4 (operating system), boasts of a retina display, FaceTime for video chat, 5-MP rear facing camera with LED flash and HD video recording,” he said.

The iPhone 4 boasts a higher quality screen and longer battery life than the previous model, he said, adding that Bharti already sells earlier models of the iPhone in India.

“With the high number of mobile users, smartphone market will grow in the country,” he said.

When asked if the pricing would offset buying at inflated rates over and above the $1,500 price tag from the grey market, Mr Sharma said that stage seems to have been over.

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