iPhone 16, iPhone 15 may get pricier in India with discounts expected to fade soon

Buying an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 is expected to get more costlier in India as Apple is expected to remove DG benefits for these smartphones.

If you have been holding off on buying a new iPhone, you might want to reconsider. Apple’s iPhones are soon expected to get costlier in India but the reason is not what you think. Apple is reportedly planning to pull some benefits that it offers on iPhone purchases in India. Removing these benefits is likely to increase the upfront price that buyers will have to pay while purchasing an iPhone.

What’s happening?

Apple is expected to remove support for discounts that made iPhone 15 and iPhone more affordable. (Apple)

By Shweta Ganjoo

Shweta Ganjoo is a Chief Content Producer at HT Tech. She has over 10 years of experience covering technology, during which time she has focused on consumer tech devices, AI, social media, gadgets, and tech policy, delivering authoritative and reader-focused insights across India’s fast-evolving digital ecosystem.

She began her career in the early 2010s, building a strong foundation in digital-first reporting as India’s tech landscape rapidly expanded. Over the years, she has worked with leading media organizations including India Today Tech, Indian Express Group, and Techlusive, where she played a key role in scaling editorial content and audience engagement. At HT Tech, she drives product recommendation coverage, combining newsroom leadership with hands-on reporting experience.

Her expertise spans smartphones, wearables, smart home devices, AI, and social media ecosystems, along with regulatory developments shaping the tech industry. Shweta is known for her analytical approach to product reviews and news coverage, grounded in hands-on testing and real-world usability. She has conducted industry interviews, tracked emerging tech trends, and produced research-backed stories using verified sources and expert inputs. She holds a masters in Mass Communication, which complements her professional experience in digital journalism and content strategy, and aligns with her academic background in technology. Shweta follows a reader-first editorial philosophy, prioritising accuracy, transparency, and fact-checked reporting to deliver reliable, insightful, and practical insights.

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According to media reports, Apple is planning to withdraw support for its demand generation or DG benefits from its retailers and channel partners in India. Pulling these benefits is likely to increase the net effective price of Apple’s iPhones in India, which until now enjoyed heavy discounts. Reports further say that once this change comes into effect, the effective price of iPhones is likely to go up by around ₹5,000.

It is worth mentioning that this move isn’t exactly surprising. The iPhone-maker recently slashed its cashback incentives from ₹6,000 to ₹1,000 in India, making the iPhone 17 series relatively pricier for Indian buyers.

What are DG support and why do they matter?

DG support is the backend incentives that companies offer to their retailers and channel partners. These benefits let retailers offer discounts and other incentives to the interested buyers without changing the maximum retail price (MRP) of the device, making it a more attractive proposition for the price-sensitive buyers.

In the case of Apple’s iPhones, DG benefits have helped retailers cushion the effect of high MRPs and make slightly older devices such as the iPhone 16, more lucrative to the buyers. They also give iPhones a competitive advance over other brands. However, with DG benefits being removed soon, this cushion is expected to vanish. This means, interested buyers will have to pay more to purchase the iPhone of their choice once the change comes into effect.

Will all iPhone models get expensive in India?

Reports suggest that this change is likely to affect slightly older iPhone models, which includes the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 16. Newer iPhone models, such as the iPhone 17 series, are expected to remain unaffected by this change.

Furthermore, the report suggests that the removal of DG support is unlikely to dampen iPhone sales in India in the long term as a large part of the iPhone purchases are made through EMIs, which reduces the stress of high upfront payments.

1. Apple iPhone 151. Apple iPhone 15

2. Apple iPhone 162. Apple iPhone 16

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3. Apple iPhone 173. Apple iPhone 17

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

 

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