The iPhone 7 in the Indian enterprise

Apple’s iPhone is a consumer product, but looking at its main page for the iPhone 7 gives us these features, which make it interesting for the enterprise:

CPU: The iPhone 7 has the A10 Fusion Chip, which is claimed to be the most powerful chip ever in a smartphone. Apple says it is two times faster than iPhone 6.Battery: Apple says that the iPhone 7 has the longest battery life ever in an iPhone.Connectivity: Apple says that the iPhone 7 has faster LTE with the best worldwide roaming. At 450Mbps, Apple says the iPhone 7 is three times faster LTE than the iPhone 6.

Apple is primarily a consumer driven company, but it has been pushing its iPads and iPad Pro series in the enterprise. In fact, way back in 2012, Genentech became a big adopter of the iPad.

But the iPad is usually a product that doesn’t sell well—it has a longer refresh cycle than the iPhone, which is usually replaced every two to three years. In fact, IDC says that the decline of the worldwide tablet market is set to continue for the remainder of 2016 as year-over-year growth reaches an all-time low of -11.5%.

IDC expects tablets to rebound in 2018; but given the speed at which the tech industry moves, this is a bit like promising salvation after death.

Apple is facing intense competition and what is called “iPhone fatigue.” Its figures for the past two quarters have not been very good. One way it can make an impact is by wooing the enterprise with the iPhone 7.

Here are four things that the company can do for enterprises, especially in India:

Pricing: Not everybody can buy an iPhone easily because of the price. Just as banks have special zero balance for salary accounts, Apple could possibly come up with zero interest options for companies. In lieu of bring your own device, you could have: Buy your own Apple.Apps, apps, apps: This is a no-brainer because apps are the USP of the iPhone. But while there are many enterprise-friendly apps already on the iPhone, ones created specifically for Indian enterprises will help the company.Ruggedization: The iPhone 7 is waterproof, but dusty Indian conditions—especially in sectors like manufacturing and mining—may require more. Apple could bring out a more rugged version of the iPhone targeting specific enterprise sectors.Security: Apple products are more secure than Android products, but can Apple come up with something specific to enterprises, which is not part of the consumer model? This could make most CSOs sleep more soundly at night.

Some of these suggestions may require Apple to spend big bucks, but this is a cash rich company—a cash rich company which is finding it difficult to push its products in the developed world and among consumers. India, a developing nation with an enterprise market that can benefit from greater mobility, may be the answer to Apple’s woes.