Apple raises prices of older iPhones ahead of festive sales

NEW DELHI: Buying an iPhone has become costlier in India and even older iPhones will now cost more. Apple has raised prices across its India line-up ahead of festive sales, making the jump to a new handset more expensive for buyers.The increases cover iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, iPhone Air and newly launched iPhone 18 Pro series. They also affect higher storage variants, with some of the sharpest revisions appearing beyond the starting configurations. Traditionally, Apple slashes prices of previous generation iPhones when it launches a new model. In the last few years, the reduction was to the tune of Rs 10,000.India faces substantially steeper increases for the new Pro models than the US and UK. Launch prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are about 22% and 20% above their predecessors, respectively, compared with increases of 9% and 8% in those markets.The difference puts the focus on what Indian consumers must pay for the same generational upgrade. Meanwhile, increases on existing devices mean choosing an older model does not shelter buyers from the latest pricing revisions.Storage upgrades have become more expensive too. The prices of 512GB iPhone 17 has risen by Rs 22,000, while 1TB iPhone Air costs Rs 65,000 more than before, an increase of 40.7%. These are increases on the devices themselves, rather than comparisons between successive Pro generations.The revised prices arrive as buyers prepare for festive shopping. For consumers comparing models, the distinction between official prices and the final purchase cost will matter. Retailer discounts, exchange benefits and payment offers will determine the eventual bill.Get the latest Business News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.