In a surprising move, Apple has increased the prices of older iPhone models by up to 20% following the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. Consumers are urged to grab remaining old stock before prices soar further.
- Apple has officially increased prices for older models, including the iPhone 17.
- The iPhone 17 price jumped from ₹82,900 to ₹99,900.
- Limited old stock is still available at original prices at select resellers like Imagine and iPlanet.
- iPhone 18 Pro hits shelves on Sept 18; iPhone Duo arrives in October.
For years, the Indian consumer pattern has been predictable: wait for the new iPhone launch, and then purchase the previous generation model at a discounted rate. However, with the unveiling of the iPhone 18 Pro and the highly anticipated foldable iPhone Duo, Apple has completely flipped the script.
Instead of the traditional price slash, Apple has implemented a price hike of up to 20% across its existing lineup. The iPhone 17, which was priced at ₹82,900 until recently, now carries an official price tag of ₹99,900 on the Apple website—a steep increase of ₹17,000.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that Apple is shifting its strategy from 'market penetration' to 'maximum margin extraction.' By raising the floor price of older models, Apple is effectively removing the 'budget' entry point into its ecosystem, forcing users to either pay a premium for old tech or leap to the newest, most expensive models. This could potentially alienate the aspirational middle-class segment in India.
"Apple is leveraging its brand equity to defy the law of electronics depreciation, turning older models into appreciating assets in the short term to maintain a luxury aura."
The ground reality in Delhi NCR retail hubs is chaotic. Staff at Reliance Digital reported that billing for iPhones was temporarily put on hold following the price update, while Croma stores reported zero stock for several older models. At Vijay Sales, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has already seen a jump to ₹1,72,900 from its launch price of ₹1,49,900.
However, there is a small window of opportunity. Authorized resellers such as Imagine and iPlanet have confirmed that they are still selling remaining old stock at the original launch prices. For instance, some units of the iPhone 17 are still available at ₹82,900, but only until the current inventory is exhausted.
| Model | Previous Price | New Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | ₹82,900 | ₹99,900 | +₹17,000 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | ₹1,49,900 | ₹1,72,900 | +₹23,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it still possible to find iPhones at old prices?
Yes, but only at authorized resellers who have old stock remaining. Once new shipments arrive, the prices will increase.
2. When will the iPhone Duo be available in India?
The foldable iPhone Duo is expected to join the market in October.
