Apple’s newest pricing move has created immediate shock in India: some iPhone prices have risen by as much as 41%.
How big is the increase?
Reuters reported that India saw some of the steepest increases among major markets. The iPhone Air 1TB, for example, rose to ₹224,900, while the base iPhone 17 also became significantly more expensive.
Why prices are rising
Apple has pointed to higher memory and storage-chip costs, driven in part by strong AI-data-centre demand. India also has local taxes and duties that can make premium-device pricing particularly sensitive.
Why users are reacting strongly
The jump breaks the expectation that older iPhones become meaningfully cheaper after a new launch. For many buyers, the new prices push flagship iPhones deeper into luxury-gadget territory.
What makes India’s situation unusual
India is also an increasingly important manufacturing base for Apple. That contrast—more local production but still very high retail prices—is one reason the increases are drawing attention.
Bottom line
The debate is no longer just about new features. For Indian buyers, the bigger question is how much premium smartphone pricing can rise before even loyal customers start looking elsewhere.
Source: Reuters
