iPhone Prices Hiked After iPhone 18 Series Launch : Apple has increased the prices of several existing iPhone models shortly after launching the iPhone 18 series. Usually, Apple reduces the prices of older iPhone models after introducing a new generation, but this time the company has taken a different approach. The prices of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, iPhone Air and iPhone 16 have all been increased.
Written by Kajal Panchal • Published on : 10 September 2026
IBN24 NEWS NETWORK : Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, at its ‘Surprise and Shine’ launch event. Soon after the event, the company revised the prices of several existing and older iPhone models in India and other markets. The biggest price increase has been recorded for the iPhone Air, with the 1TB variant becoming ₹65,000 more expensive. Rising memory chip prices and higher component costs are being cited as the key reasons behind the price hike.
iPhone Air Gets Up to ₹65,000 More Expensive
Apple has significantly increased the price of the iPhone Air across its storage variants. The 256GB variant, which was earlier priced at ₹1,19,900, is now available for ₹1,49,900. This represents a price increase of ₹30,000.
The price of the 512GB variant has increased from ₹1,39,900 to ₹1,74,900, making it ₹35,000 more expensive. The biggest increase has been seen in the 1TB variant. Its price has gone up from ₹1,59,900 to ₹2,24,900, an increase of ₹65,000.
iPhone 17 Price Increased by Up to ₹22,000
The iPhone 17 has also received a significant price hike. The price of the 256GB variant has increased from ₹82,900 to ₹99,900. This means buyers will now have to pay ₹17,000 more for the base storage model.
Meanwhile, the 512GB variant has become ₹22,000 more expensive. Its price has increased from ₹1,02,900 to ₹1,24,900. The price increase is notable because the iPhone 17 is now an older-generation model following the launch of the iPhone 18 series. Normally, consumers expect the previous-generation iPhone to become cheaper after a new model is introduced.
iPhone 17e and iPhone 16 Also Become Costlier
Apple has also increased the prices of the relatively affordable iPhone 17e. The 256GB iPhone 17e was earlier priced at ₹64,900, but its new price is ₹79,900. The 512GB variant has increased from ₹84,900 to ₹1,04,900.
The iPhone 16 has also become more expensive. The price of its 128GB base variant has increased from ₹69,900 to ₹89,900, representing a ₹20,000 increase.
Why Has Apple Increased iPhone Prices ?
The main reason behind the price hike is the rising cost of memory chips and other essential smartphone components. Demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers has increased significantly. This has resulted in higher demand for semiconductors and memory components, putting pressure on both their prices and availability.
The increasing cost of components is raising manufacturing expenses for smartphone companies. As a result, several smartphone manufacturers have started increasing the prices of their devices.
Apple Had Already Indicated Rising Cost Pressures
Apple’s then-CEO Tim Cook had spoken about rising costs in an interview with The Wall Street Journal in June. He indicated that the company had been trying to avoid passing higher costs on to customers, but managing the increasing cost burden was becoming increasingly difficult.
Apple is not the only smartphone maker facing this pressure. Several Android smartphone manufacturers have also increased handset prices due to higher component costs and supply-related challenges.
What Does the Price Hike Mean for Buyers ?
Consumers expecting older iPhone models to become cheaper after the iPhone 18 launch may be disappointed. Instead of receiving a price cut, several existing iPhone models have become significantly more expensive.
The iPhone Air has seen the biggest increase, with its 1TB variant now ₹65,000 more expensive than before. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 have also become costlier, making Apple’s existing lineup more expensive for buyers.
With component costs continuing to remain under pressure, consumers looking to purchase an older iPhone may now need to spend considerably more than they would have expected after the launch of a new generation.
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