Apple raises select iPhone prices in India alongside iPhone 18 series launch

Apple has raised India prices for select iPhone 17, iPhone Air and iPhone 17e variants while introducing the iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone Duo. Pre-orders are set to begin September 12, with availability from September 18.

— Source publishedThu, 10 Sept, 2026, 08:11 IST·First seen Thu, 10 Sept, 2026, 09:27 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone Duo, raised India prices for select older iPhones, and will begin India pre-orders on September 12. The

Key facts

  • iPhone 17 256GB: Rs 82,900 to Rs 99,900 (+Rs 17,000; 20.51%)
  • iPhone Air 256GB: Rs 1,19,900 to Rs 1,49,900 (+Rs 30,000; 25.02%)
  • iPhone Air 512GB: Rs 1,39,900 to Rs 1,74,900 (+Rs 35,000; 25.02%)
  • iPhone Air 1TB: Rs 1,59,900 to Rs 2,24,900 (+Rs 65,000; 40.65%)
  • iPhone 17e 256GB: Rs 64,900 to Rs 79,900 (+Rs 15,000; 23.11%)
  • iPhone 18 Pro India starting price: Rs 1,64,900
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max India starting price: Rs 1,79,900
  • India FY26 iPhone shipments: 14 million units, up 24% year-on-year
  • Apple India revenue estimated above $10 billion, near Rs 1 lakh crore

Why this matters

Apple’s elevated India price architecture increases the strategic value of local financing, trade-in, retail and distribution partnerships that can preserve accessibility while supporting a more premium product mix.

What to watch

  • Pre-order mix between iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Duo, iPhone Air and prior-generation iPhones.
  • Share of orders using EMI, trade-in and bank offers versus full-price purchases.
  • Effective street prices on Amazon, Flipkart, Croma and Apple premium reseller channels after September 18.
  • Delivery lead times for Pro and high-storage variants in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.
  • Competitor flagship promotions and launches timed against Apple's availability window.
  • Rupee movement, import-duty changes and any expansion of local manufacturing that could alter India pricing flexibility.
  • Expand bank cashback, exchange and EMI programs around pre-orders to reduce visible sticker-price resistance.
  • Keep prior-generation iPhone inventory available at targeted price points to retain aspirational buyers who cannot move into the new series.
  • Allocate premium retail inventory toward metros and high-income catchments, where high-storage and Pro demand is strongest.
  • Use trade-in messaging to frame the higher price as a monthly ownership cost rather than an upfront purchase.
  • Monitor reseller margins and promotional intensity to prevent unauthorized discounting from undermining the new list-price architecture.