Emerging markets have been an increasing focal point for Apple (AAPL -2.19%) in the last several years, especially as developed markets see their sales mature.

For example, Apple's sales in China have doubled over the last two years despite Apple's high-end iDevices being more expensive than many other smartphone options. Apple also isn't officially carrier on the country's largest telecom company, China Mobile.

One of the keys to Apple's inroads in China has been the use of handset subsidies on the part of its two other major telecom players. Now it appears Apple might get the chance to break into India, another increasingly critical smartphone market thanks to the very same subsidy model.

Recently, Reliance Communications, India's third-largest telecom company, announced it would begin offering Apple's new iPhones to qualifying customers at subsidized upfront prices on contract. This would be a noteworthy development as the subsidy model that has been so successful in many markets has yet to meaningfully take hold in India. Fool contributor Andrew Tonner breaks it down for investors in the video below.