<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><root available-locales="en_US," default-locale="en_US"><static-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The iPhone 4S, the final gadget unveiled during Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' lifetime, hit store shelves in India on Friday with a starting price of 44,500 rupees.<br><br>At about four times the US retail price where customers buy mandatory data-service plans, the phone may still find buyers among affluent young professionals in India who are snapping up iconic brands and luxury items.<br><br>Unlike their western peers, Indian mobile operators do not subsidise cost of phones.<br><br>Airtel and Aircel are selling the 16 GB model for Rs 44,500, with the 32 GB version priced at Rs 50,900 and the 64 GB model available for Rs 57,500.<br><br>Media reports last week said Indian fans were unhappy that the smartphone will be more expensive in India than anywhere else in the world.<br><br>Both mobile operators, which started selling the iPhone 4S from midnight on Friday, are offering discounted data plans.<br><br>The final gadget unveiled during Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' lifetime is more expensive that the iPad 2 in India, with the base model of the tablet selling for Rs 27,900. Even its top-end model, with 64 GB of memory and WiFi & 3G, costs Rs 46,900.<br><br>The new iPhone comes with a faster processor, a better light-sensitive camera, and voice-activated software "Siri".<br><br>On Friday, the Aircel website showed that the 64 GB version, both black and white, was sold out.<br><br>(Reuters)</p>