In a surprising move, Apple has increased the prices of its older iPhone models coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 18 series. The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 have seen significant price hikes in the Indian market.
- Apple has broken industry tradition by increasing prices of older models instead of slashing them.
- The iPhone Air saw the steepest hike of ₹30,000.
- iPhone 17 base price jumped from ₹82,900 to ₹99,900.
- The company introduced the revolutionary 'iPhone Duo' foldable and 'iPhone 18 Pro' series.
Tech giant Apple has sent shockwaves through the consumer electronics market during its latest event. While the world awaited the new flagship releases, the company implemented an unprecedented pricing strategy in India: increasing the costs of existing models already on the shelf.
The most significant impact was felt by the iPhone Air, Apple's slimmest handset. The price surged by ₹30,000, moving from ₹1,19,900 to a staggering ₹1,49,900. Similarly, the iPhone 17, which debuted at ₹82,900 last year, has been repriced to ₹99,900, with the 512GB variant now costing ₹1,24,900.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that Apple is leveraging its extreme brand loyalty to shift the perception of older models from 'discounted options' to 'sustained premium assets.' By increasing prices, Apple is effectively eliminating the incentive for budget-conscious buyers to wait for older models, pushing them either toward the new high-end series or accepting a higher premium for the previous generation.
"Raising prices on legacy hardware during a new launch is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that only a company with Apple's ecosystem lock-in could attempt."
Alongside these changes, Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable device, starting at ₹2,99,900. The new iPhone 18 Pro series begins at ₹1,64,900, while the Pro Max starts at ₹1,79,900.
| Model | Previous Price (₹) | New Price (₹) | Difference (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Air | 1,19,900 | 1,49,900 | +30,000 |
| iPhone 17 | 82,900 | 99,900 | +17,000 |
| iPhone 17e | 64,900 | 79,900 | +15,000 |
Looking at the specs, the iPhone 17 features a 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the in-house A19 (3nm) chipset and boasts a dual 48MP rear camera setup and an 18MP selfie camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Did older iPhones get cheaper after the new launch?
No, contrary to usual trends, Apple has increased the prices of several older models including the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air.
2. What is the starting price of the new foldable iPhone Duo?
The iPhone Duo starts at a premium price point of ₹2,99,900.
