iPhone 16 price cut in India: Apple’s iPhone 17 series finally reached stores with a larger-screen iPhone 17, color-stronger Pro versions, and the new iPhone Air. There is a tradition that dictates Apple has cut prices of last year’s iPhone 16, hence making it an Indian consumer-friendly buy. With festive season sales looming and discounts going deeper, many are now wondering: do you spend on the iPhone 16 at its new price, or splurge on the iPhone 17?
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iPhone 16 Becomes More Affordable Pre-Festive Sales
Earlier at ₹79,900, the iPhone 16 is now being sold starting from ₹69,900 for 128GB on the Apple India site. With the festive season sales on Amazon and Flipkart beginning from September 23, prices will further drop, even leading to the effective price dropping below ₹60,000. For would-be customers who have been eyeing joining the Apple ecosystem, the timing couldn’t be better.
Why the iPhone 16 Still Makes Sense
Even at a year old, the iPhone 16 remains an even-handed package. It runs on the A18 chip and 8GB RAM to provide smooth functionality and Apple Intelligence-readiness. It outperformed the competition in the shape of the Exynos 2400, Tensor G4, and Dimensity 9300, but with improved power efficiency. Apple’s long software support translates to the phone remaining relevant for the years ahead.
The 50MP camera hardware continues to deliver sharp images, fluid video, and good low-light capability. Photographic Styles also now include Undertone settings, giving more creative control. The battery readily lasts for an entire day, with 5–6 hours of screen use and charging to 50% in 30 minutes.
But there are drawbacks, which include a 60Hz Super Retina XDR display and the lack of an always-on screen feature, both of which are found even in cheaper Android phones. Scrolling and animations are not as silky smooth as on higher-refresh-rate displays. But for most users upgrading from older iPhones, these concessions may not be deal-killers.
Why the iPhone 17 Is a Major Upgrade
The iPhone 17 is one of the biggest advances for Apple’s base unit. It now gets a 6.3-inch OLED ProMotion screen with always-on and a 120Hz adaptive refresh. The upgrade delivers smoother visuals and an improved viewing experience.
Internally, it boasts the A19 chip, which Apple claims is 20% faster than the A18, and thus better suited to gaming and multitasking. Cameras also receive substantial upgrades: a new 18MP front-facing camera with Center Stage, Dual Capture, and Ultra-stabilized video, along with a significant boost in the ultra-wide lens from 12MP to 48MP. Battery life has also been improved, with up to 8 extra hours of video playback and faster wired charging.
The launch cost of ₹82,900 is higher than the iPhone 16, but Apple compensates with double the base storage at 256GB. The iPhone 17 is a desirable purchase for those who want the newest display, performance, and camera tech.
Verdict: Which One to Buy
With the lowering of the price of the iPhone 16, consumers are provided with a choice of a difference of ₹13,000 when comparing to the iPhone 17. Even if value-for-money is the choice, the iPhone 16 remains attractive in festival deals. But for people who are looking at major improvements in displays, performance, and cameras, the iPhone 17 is worth paying the premium. In short, iPhone 16 is the smarter budget choice, while iPhone 17 is the smarter choice for individuals who need the latest Apple experience.