After the recent release of its new iPhone models, Apple has gone with an unusual approach for the iPhone range. Rather than reducing the prices of older iPhones, as consumers usually expect when a new generation comes in, the company has raised the prices of some of its existing models in India.
The price revision means that some older iPhones are now selling for significantly more than their original launch prices. It follows the unveiling of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max and is making headlines for consumers hoping the older phones would be more affordable.
The price hike is applicable to all iPhone models, such as the iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air, and the magnitude of the increase will also depend on the storage capacity.
Older iPhones Become More Expensive
Apple's product strategy has been a standard play for years. When a newer iPhone is released, previous iPhones are sometimes sold for a lower price, so that consumers have the chance to afford a new iPhone without spending on the latest technology.
The latest pricing strategy changes that expectation.
Following the company's latest iPhone launch, Apple has revised the prices of several older models in India. Instead of receiving a conventional post-launch price reduction, these phones have become more expensive.
This makes Apple's current iPhone lineup unusual because consumers looking for an older model are no longer guaranteed a lower official price simply because a newer generation has arrived.
iPhone 17 Price Crosses the ₹99,000 Mark
The iPhone 17 is one of the devices that's impacted by the latest price adjustment. The 256GB model, which was released in India at a ₹82,900 initial price, is selling for ₹99,900 now.
This bump of ₹17,000 brings the iPhone 17 closer to the ₹1 lakh mark. This is a major shift for folks who were hoping to buy the previous generation of iPhone at a discounted price when the next one came out.
The iPhone 17 continues to offer a combination of Apple's latest-generation features and hardware, but its increased price changes its position within the company's overall lineup. Buyers now have to consider whether purchasing the older model makes sense when newer models are also available at premium prices.
iPhone 16 Also Gets a Price Hike
The price of the iPhone 16 has also been increased in India. The model, which has been superseded by newer generations, would normally be expected to be cheaper over the years.
Instead, Apple has increased its official price.
The iPhone 16 is now priced at ₹89,900, which is ₹10,000 higher than its original launch price of ₹79,900. This may be especially significant for the older variant since people tend to think of past-generation iPhones as something that comes with a lower price tag and discount.
The rise also might make the iPhone 16 less appealing to customers who are more interested in value than in the newest gadgets.
iPhone 17e Price Also Rises
The latest price adjustments don't spare Apple's less-expensive iPhone 17e. The 256GB version is now priced at ₹79,900.
In positioning the iPhone 17e, Apple wanted to offer consumers a newer iPhone that might not be as expensive as the higher-end models, a scheme that initially appeared to be a sound one.
But the new pricing has adjusted the price gap between the lower-priced and higher-priced iPhone variants. Because consumers will have to pay more than anticipated to get into Apple's current generation ecosystem.
iPhone Air Sees a Major Price Increase
The biggest price change among the affected models is associated with the iPhone Air.
The 1TB version of the iPhone Air has reportedly received a ₹65,000 price increase, taking its price to ₹2,24,900. The size of this increase stands out compared with the revisions made to other iPhone models.
The change also highlights how storage configurations can significantly influence Apple's pricing. Higher-capacity iPhones already command a premium, and a substantial price revision can make the most expensive configurations considerably harder to justify for mainstream buyers.
For consumers considering an iPhone Air, the new pricing makes it important to compare different storage options rather than automatically choosing the highest-capacity version.
Why Is Apple Increasing Prices?
Apple has not provided a detailed explanation for every individual price revision. However, several factors can influence smartphone pricing, including manufacturing costs, component prices, currency movements, import-related expenses and changes in market conditions.
The global technology industry has also been facing increased demand for memory and other components, partly driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Higher demand for components can put pressure on supply and manufacturing costs.
India has additional pricing factors as well. Imported electronic products can be affected by duties and taxes, while the final retail price also reflects Apple's broader pricing strategy for the Indian market.
However, the exact reason behind each individual iPhone price increase has not been publicly explained by Apple.
iPhone 18 Launch Changes Apple's Lineup
The price increase comes at an interesting point in Apple's product cycle. The company has introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with its first foldable iPhone Duo.
Apple's 2026 launch strategy has also been different from the conventional annual iPhone release pattern. Geospatial data is a big part of Apple's 2026 plans, which is why this approach has been different from the standard annual iPhone release cycle. The company has focused on its high-end models, and the base iPhone 18 wasn't part of last September's releases.
Meanwhile, Apple has entered into a new realm with its foldable iPhone Duo. This extends the company's line of high-end products even further, including traditional iPhones as well as premium foldable devices.
With newer premium models occupying the top end of Apple's lineup, older iPhones could have been expected to become more affordable. Instead, Apple has raised prices across several existing models.
What Does the Price Hike Mean for Buyers?
The most significant change will be for those who purposefully hold off on an iPhone release to purchase an earlier version.
In the past, this approach was a good value. A buyer may wait for the next generation of the iPhone and buy the previous generation at the official price for the cheaper one.
The new price adjustments prove it to be incorrect.
Someone planning to buy an iPhone 17 after the iPhone 18 launch may now find that the phone costs considerably more than it did when it was first introduced. Similarly, shoppers considering an iPhone 16 can no longer automatically assume that its age translates into a lower official price.
This may make it more tempting for buyers to shop at the retailer for a better price, or to look for clearance products or existing stock.
Retail Prices Could Tell a Different Story
Although Apple's official prices have increased, consumers may still find different prices through authorized retailers and other sales channels.
Retailers often offer discounts, exchange benefits, bank offers and promotional pricing on older iPhones, particularly when they are trying to clear existing inventory.
As a result, Apple's official price does not necessarily represent the lowest price available in the market.
However, buyers should compare the final effective price, warranty, storage capacity and seller before making a purchase. A lower advertised price may also depend on specific payment methods or exchange conditions.
Apple Changes the Usual iPhone Pricing Strategy
Apple's latest pricing decision represents a notable shift in how consumers may view older iPhones. Instead of automatically becoming cheaper after a new launch, some models are now more expensive than they were when they originally entered the market.
The move also reinforces Apple's premium positioning in the smartphone market. With the latest iPhone 18 Pro models occupying the higher end of the lineup and older models retaining elevated prices, consumers have fewer low-cost options when buying directly from Apple.
For buyers, the key takeaway is that older does not necessarily mean cheaper when it comes to the current iPhone lineup.
The iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air have all seen notable price changes, with some configurations now costing substantially more than their original launch prices. Whether these prices remain unchanged or are adjusted again in the future will depend on Apple's pricing strategy and market conditions.
For now, consumers planning to buy an iPhone may need to look beyond the launch cycle and compare official prices with retailer offers before deciding which model provides the best value.
FAQs
1. Why has Apple increased the prices of older iPhones in India?
Apple has increased the prices of several existing iPhone models in India following the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The exact reason for each price revision has not been officially specified by Apple, although rising component costs, memory prices, taxes, import-related expenses and broader market conditions can influence smartphone pricing.
2. Which iPhones have become more expensive in India?
The latest price revisions affect several existing iPhone models, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air. The increase varies by model and storage capacity, with some higher-storage configurations seeing particularly large price increases.
3. What is the new price of the iPhone 17 in India?
The 256GB iPhone 17 is now priced at ₹99,900 in India. It originally launched at ₹82,900, making the current price ₹17,000 higher than its original launch price.
4. What is the new price of the iPhone 16 in India?
The iPhone 16 is now priced at ₹89,900 in India for the 128GB model. This is ₹10,000 higher than its original launch price of ₹79,900.
5. How much has the iPhone Air price increased in India?
The 1TB iPhone Air has received a ₹65,000 price increase, taking its current price to ₹2,24,900. This is the largest increase among the affected iPhone configurations.
6. Is the iPhone 17 now more expensive than its launch price?
Yes. The 256GB iPhone 17 originally launched in India at ₹82,900 and is now priced at ₹99,900. This means it currently costs ₹17,000 more than its original launch price.
7. Did Apple increase older iPhone prices after the iPhone 18 Pro launch?
Yes. Apple increased the prices of several existing iPhone models in India after launching the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The affected models include the iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air.
