Apple has increased the prices of older iPhone models in India by up to 41% shortly after the autumn product launch. This move deviates from the company's standard practice of lowering prices for older devices and represents the highest price hike among all markets this year.
The company cited rising costs for memory and storage chips as the primary reason for the global price adjustments. Increased demand for data centers driven by AI has intensified competition for core components, leading to higher production costs for consumer electronics manufacturers.
In India, the entry-level iPhone 17 saw a price increase of nearly 21%, reaching ₹99,900. The 1TB version of the iPhone Air experienced the most significant hike, rising 41% to ₹224,900. These prices are influenced by import tariffs on components and an 18% goods and services tax.
For comparison, prices in the US market also rose, though at lower rates. The base iPhone 17 increased by nearly 13% to $899, while the 1TB iPhone Air rose by 21% to $1,699. The foldable iPhone Duo is reportedly priced $1,100 higher in India than in the US.
