Apple Raises iPhone Prices in India by Up to 40% Amid Rising Memory Costs

New Delhi, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : Apple has announced a significant price increase for its iPhone lineup in India, with hikes reaching as high as 40%. This adjustment is attributed to the rising costs of memory components. The company has also launched its latest generation of smartphones, including the new 'iPhone Duo,' which enters the foldable segment with a hefty price tag of ₹2.99 lakh.The price of the iPhone 17's 256GB variant has risen from ₹82,900 to ₹99,900, marking an increase of ₹17,000 or 20.5%. The 512GB variant has seen a jump to ₹1,24,900 from ₹1,02,900, reflecting a ₹22,000 increase, or 21.4%. The starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro is now ₹1,64,900, which is 22% higher than the previous model. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro Max begins at ₹1,79,900, up 20%. The most significant increase is observed in the 1TB iPhone Air, which has surged 40.6% to ₹2,24,900 from ₹1,59,900.Additionally, both the 256GB and 512GB variants of the iPhone Air have become 25% more expensive. The starting price for the iPhone 17E has risen to ₹79,900, up 23.1%, while the 128GB iPhone 16 now costs ₹89,900, reflecting a 28.6% increase. Compared to several major markets, the price hikes for Apple’s Pro models in India are notably higher. In the United States, the prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max have only seen increases of 9% and 8%, respectively. According to Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, iPhone prices in India have risen by 20-30%, significantly above the global average increase of 8-10%.He attributes this surge to the rising costs of memory, the weakening rupee, and increased domestic production costs. He also noted that the iPhone Duo could face import duties of up to 20% since it is not assembled locally. Prabhu Ram, head of the Industry Intelligence Group at CyberMedia Research, stated that the iPhone Duo, priced at ₹2,99,900, establishes an ultra-premium category above the Pro series. He believes this product will primarily enhance the brand's prestige rather than drive mass sales in the near term.Ram suggested that financing options could attract Pro Max users, though shipments of the iPhone Duo are likely to remain limited due to supply constraints. Currently, foldable smartphones account for less than 1% of total smartphone shipments, but Apple’s entry into this segment could accelerate growth.