1 day left!! Yep, just 1 day left for the launch of the iPhone 17 series devices at Apple’s event. There are rumours and leaks about all four devices that Apple is expected to launch, which have revealed almost everything about these devices. The Tech industry is buzzing with excitement for the “Biggest Tech Event” of the year. However, since almost everything about the iPhone 17 series is known, people however are skeptical about the prices of the smartphone. So here is everything we know about the prices of the smartphones in India, from trustworthy sources and leaks.
According to industry analyst firm Techarc the base iPhone 17 model will start at Rs. 86,000 – a notable uptick from the iPhone 16’s launch price of Rs. 79,900. This estimate comes amid ongoing currency fluctuations and Apple’s shift toward local manufacturing in India.
Exchange Rates affecting prices!
Techarc’s analysis highlights a strong positive correlation between iPhone launch prices in India and the USD-INR exchange rate. Over the years, iPhone prices have risen at an average annual rate of approximately 7.6 percent, while the rupee has depreciated against the dollar at about 5.2 percent annually. Factoring in exchange rate adjustments, the real annual price increase for iPhones in India stands at a modest 2.4 percent. This tempered growth, the firm claims, underscores Apple’s strategy to maintain premium positioning without alienating its growing Indian user base.
Price stabilisation post 2020!
Traditionally the prices of the base model has increased however in the 2020s, prices stabilised around the Rs. 80,000 mark for base models: iPhone 11 (Rs. 64,900 in 2019), iPhone 12 (Rs. 79,900 in 2020), iPhone 13 (Rs. 79,900 in 2021), iPhone 14 (Rs. 79,900 in 2022), iPhone 15 (Rs. 79,900 in 2023), and iPhone 16 (Rs. 79,900 in 2024). This plateau suggests Apple’s efforts to balance innovation costs with market accessibility, especially as India emerges as a key growth region.
Future Increase could affect sales!
The higher pricing strategy by Apple, despite manufacturing in India, has broader implications for Apple’s market share in India. Techarc forecasts iPhone shipments reaching 15 million units, potentially capturing 12-15 percent of the market by volume – a remarkable jump from 1-1.5 percent a decade ago. However, with macro-economic challenges, growth may plateau by 2030-33, the analyst firm predicts. Consumers perceive iPhones as more accessible today, thanks to negligible inflation-adjusted hikes and features like seamless ecosystem integration.
