DHAKA: While Apple was silent on the availability of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus beyond US and other launch countries, in a surprising development Apple's India website says that the iPhone 6 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch variants will be available in the country starting October 17.

Initially there was confusion if this is an error of some sort on part of Apple, as the company usually doesn't pre-announce availability details of products on its website, reports NDTV.

However, Apple had earlier announced an India availability date of September 26 and now it's been updated to October 17, so clearly the updated information is not an oversight, the report added.

The October 17 launch date means the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available in time for the festival of Diwali, a time that's associated with heavy shopping in many parts of the country.

Moreover, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK beginning on Friday, September 19, and customers can pre-order both models beginning on Friday, September 12.

BDST: 1233 HRS, SEP 10, 2014