iPhone Price Hike in India 2026: Should You Sell Your Old iPhone?

Yes, for many owners the 2026 iPhone price hike in India is a good reason to sell an old iPhone now rather than later. Within hours of the iPhone 18 Pro launch on 9 September 2026, Apple raised Indian prices of its existing models by ₹10,000 to ₹65,000 depending on the variant, so a new iPhone now costs a lot more, while a well-kept used iPhone is suddenly a far more attractive buy for the next owner. If you were planning to upgrade, switch or simply cash out, selling while your phone is still current and in good shape usually gets you the best value.

Want a number before you read on? Find your iPhone and get an instant quote in about a minute. ReUz picks your phone up from your doorstep for free and pays you by UPI on the spot, and our price promise aims to beat comparable offers by up to 10%.

What exactly changed: the September 2026 iPhone price hike

Apple usually cuts the price of older iPhones when a new generation arrives. In 2026 it did the opposite. On 9 September, at the "Surprise and Shine" event where it unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, Apple also revised prices of the models it continues to sell. Reuters, as reported by Khaleej Times, described India as getting one of the world's steepest increases, with some variants going up by as much as 41%.

Apple's stated reason was the rising cost of memory and storage chips. Reports from Reuters and Smartprix tie this to the boom in AI data centres, which has made memory components scarce and more expensive across the electronics industry. In India the effect is magnified because import duties on components and 18% GST already keep iPhone prices well above US levels. In the US, the increase was a flat $100 on most models; in India it ranged from ₹10,000 to ₹65,000.

Old vs new iPhone prices in India

Here is how the starting and variant prices moved, based on the figures reported by Business Today and Smartprix on 10 September 2026. These are Apple's official list prices, before any bank or festive offer.

*Reports differ on the iPhone 16 variant: Smartprix lists ₹89,900 as the new 128GB price (up from ₹69,900), while Business Today lists it against the 256GB variant (up from ₹79,900). Either way, the iPhone 16 is now ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 dearer than it was in August.

The new flagships are pricier too

The new Pro models also launched higher than the phones they replace. According to Business Today, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900, ₹30,000 more than the iPhone 17 Pro's launch price of ₹1,34,900. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at ₹1,79,900, again ₹30,000 above the iPhone 17 Pro Max's ₹1,49,900. The foldable iPhone Duo starts at ₹2,99,900 and goes up to ₹4,49,900 for the highest storage variant. Smartprix also reports that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are no longer sold by Apple following the iPhone 18 Pro launch, and the iPhone 16 Plus has been dropped from Apple's US store.

Put simply, there is no longer a "cheap" way into a brand-new iPhone in India. Even the iPhone 17e, Apple's entry model, now starts at ₹79,900.

Why a price hike on new iPhones matters if you are selling an old one

It is easy to read the news as purely bad: phones cost more. But if you already own an iPhone, the picture is more nuanced. Here is how the hike changes the maths for sellers.

1. A used iPhone looks better value next to a ₹90,000 new one

When a new iPhone 16 costs ₹89,900 and a new iPhone 17 costs ₹99,900, the gap between new and used widens. Buyers who were ready to spend ₹70,000 on a new phone in August now find that the same money buys nothing new from Apple, so many of them turn to well-kept used and refurbished phones. That shift in buyer behaviour is what supports used iPhone prices. You do not need to wait for a "better time"; the price environment is already in your favour.

2. Upgrading costs more, so every rupee you recover counts

If you plan to move to an iPhone 18 Pro, the jump from ₹1,34,900 to ₹1,64,900 at the starting price is a real stretch for most budgets. Selling your current phone for the best possible price is now the single biggest lever you have to bring down the effective cost of that upgrade. A difference of even ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 between a weak exchange offer and a strong resale offer is meaningful.

3. Discontinued models have a fixed supply

With the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max no longer on Apple's shelves, new stock will only thin out from here. For a buyer who wants a 17 Pro specifically, the used market becomes the main source. That is good news if you own one, because the phone is still recent, still well supported and no longer available new from Apple at a lower price.

4. Your phone keeps ageing even if prices stay high

The one thing a price hike does not change is depreciation. Every month your phone gets a little older, its battery health drops a little, and the chance of a crack, scratch or water mishap adds up. Next September, another generation arrives and your model moves one step further down the ladder. Prices for new phones may stay high, but your particular phone will almost always be worth less a year from now than it is today.

What your old iPhone is worth right now

To give you a realistic sense of where used prices sit after the hike, the table below compares Apple's current new prices (or launch prices for discontinued models) with indicative ReUz buyback prices shown on our sell pages. ReUz prices are for phones in good working condition; the final offer is confirmed after a short in-person inspection, so treat these as a starting point and check your exact iPhone resale value for your variant and condition.

A few patterns stand out. Pro models hold their value best: a good-condition iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max still fetches roughly three-quarters of its launch price. The standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 16 sit in the 60–70% band against today's inflated new prices. The iPhone Air shows the biggest gap, partly because its new price jumped so sharply after the hike; for Air owners, the hike has widened the distance between what a new one costs and what a used one fetches, so do not expect resale to track the new list price.

Remember that storage matters too. On our pages, a 1TB iPhone Air shows ₹88,000 and a 1TB iPhone 16 Pro shows ₹87,000, both well above their base variants, so always pick your exact storage when you request a quote.

Ready to see your own figure? Sell your old iPhone with ReUz: choose your model and storage, answer a few condition questions and get an instant quote, with free pickup and UPI payment when you accept.

Should you sell now or wait? Advice by model

There is no single right answer for everyone. What makes sense depends on which iPhone you own, how you use it and what you plan to do next. Here is model-by-model guidance based on where prices stand in October 2026.

iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max owners

These phones are barely a year old, yet Apple has already stopped selling them. That puts you in a strong position. If you want the newest Pro, selling your 17 Pro now captures most of its value while demand for "the last Pro you can't buy new" is healthy. If you are happy with your phone, there is no pressure to sell: a 17 Pro will serve you well for years. The question to ask yourself is whether the upgrade is worth roughly ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 out of pocket after resale, because that is the gap between the iPhone 18 Pro's ₹1,64,900 starting price and what a good-condition 17 Pro fetches.

If you own a Pro Max, we have a dedicated guide on selling the iPhone 17 Pro Max after the iPhone 18 launch that goes deeper into timing and condition.

iPhone 17 and iPhone Air owners

The iPhone 17 is still on sale from Apple, now at ₹99,900 for 256GB. That keeps a floor under used prices, because a buyer comparing a ₹99,900 new phone with a well-kept used one sees a clear saving. If you are thinking of moving up to a Pro, selling now makes sense. If you simply like your phone, keep it.

The iPhone Air is a different case. Its new price jumped by ₹30,000 to ₹65,000 depending on storage, but that does not automatically lift resale prices in step, because buyers shopping at ₹1,50,000 and above tend to look at Pro models. If you bought an Air and already know you would rather have a Pro, selling sooner rather than later limits further depreciation.

iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro owners

The iPhone 16 is the most interesting model in this story. Apple still sells it, but at ₹89,900, which is ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 more than a few weeks earlier. That means a new iPhone 16 now costs more than many buyers expected to pay even for an iPhone 17 before the hike. As a seller, you benefit: a good-condition used iPhone 16 is a much easier sell when the new one is close to ₹90,000. If you were planning to upgrade in the next six months anyway, this is a sensible window.

The iPhone 16 Pro, which Apple no longer sells new, still shows ₹75,210 to ₹87,000 on our sell page depending on storage. It remains a capable phone, so if it suits you, holding on is fine. If you want the newest Pro, though, its value is now meaningfully higher than an older model like the iPhone 15, and it will not climb from here. If you own the larger model, you can also sell your iPhone 16 Plus through the same process.

iPhone 15 and older owners

With a good-condition iPhone 15 128GB at around ₹43,500 on our page, these phones still hold real value. If yours has a healthy battery and no damage, now is a good time to cash in before the next generation pushes it further down. If the battery is worn or the screen is cracked, compare the cost of a repair against the drop in price first; our guide on checking iPhone battery health before selling explains how to read the numbers.

iPhone 17e owners

The iPhone 17e is Apple's entry model and now starts at ₹79,900 new. Indicative resale of ₹46,500 for the 256GB variant means you recover a bit under 60% of today's new price. If you bought it as a stopgap and plan to move to a Pro, the resale money makes a useful dent in the upgrade cost.

Exchange offer, festival deal or direct sale: which gets you more?

October is festival season, and big sales such as the Amazon Great Indian Festival bring heavily promoted exchange offers. According to Zoutons, the Great Indian Festival 2026 began on 8 October, and Amazon advertised the iPhone 16 128GB at an effective ₹71,999 including all offers, against a regular listed price of ₹86,900 on 3 October. These offers can be genuinely useful for buying, but they work differently from selling your phone outright.

How exchange offers work

An exchange offer is a discount on a new purchase in return for your old phone. The value is usually fixed by an algorithm based on model and a few self-declared condition questions. When the delivery agent arrives with your new phone, they inspect the old one; if they find a scratch, a dent or a battery warning you did not declare, the value can be cut on the doorstep, and you either accept or cancel the whole order. You also cannot take the money and spend it elsewhere: it only exists as a discount on that specific purchase.

How a direct sale works

Selling directly to a buyback service means you receive cash, typically by UPI or bank transfer, for your old phone, separately from whatever you buy next. That gives you more freedom. You can buy your new phone during a sale with a bank card discount, then sell your old phone to whoever pays the most, without one decision being tied to the other. With ReUz, the executive inspects the phone at your doorstep, confirms the final price, and pays you before leaving. If you do not like the final offer, you can say no and keep your phone, with no fees.

Side-by-side comparison

The practical approach most people find works best: take the best festival price on your new iPhone using bank or card offers, then get a quote for your old phone separately and compare it with the exchange value shown at checkout. Pick whichever is higher. It takes a few extra minutes but can make a real difference.

How to work out the real cost of upgrading after the hike

The sticker price of a new iPhone is not what an upgrade really costs you. The number that matters is the new price minus what you get for your old phone, minus any genuine discount. Working this out takes two minutes and stops you from overpaying.

1. Note the new phone's price on the day you buy. Use the official price, then subtract only discounts you will actually get, such as a bank card offer on your own card.
2. Get a resale quote for your current phone. Use your exact model, storage and honest condition. An optimistic self-assessment only leads to a lower price at inspection.
3. Compare it with the exchange value at checkout. If the retailer's exchange value is lower than your resale quote, sell separately.
4. Subtract the higher of the two from the new price. That is your true upgrade cost.
5. Ask whether the upgrade is worth that amount to you. If the answer is no, keeping your phone is a perfectly good choice.

Worked example: iPhone 17 Pro to iPhone 18 Pro

Say you own a 256GB iPhone 17 Pro in good condition and want an iPhone 18 Pro 256GB, which costs ₹1,64,900. Our sell page shows an indicative ₹1,06,000 for a good-condition 17 Pro 256GB. If your phone matches that condition at inspection, the true cost of the upgrade is about ₹58,900, before any bank offer you can use on the new phone. Whether that is worth it depends on how much you value the newer phone, but at least you are deciding with the real number in front of you.

Worked example: iPhone 16 to iPhone 17

Now say you own a 128GB iPhone 16 in good condition and want an iPhone 17 256GB at ₹99,900. With an indicative ₹53,900 for your iPhone 16, your effective upgrade cost is about ₹46,000. You also move from 128GB to 256GB of storage, which on its own can be a reason to upgrade if your phone is constantly full.

Worked example: iPhone 15 to iPhone 17e

If you have a 128GB iPhone 15 and want the cheapest new iPhone, the iPhone 17e 256GB is ₹79,900. With an indicative ₹43,500 for a good-condition iPhone 15, the effective cost is around ₹36,400. That is a big step down from the sticker price and shows why selling well matters more after a price hike.

Getting your iPhone ready to sell: a practical checklist

A little preparation protects your data and helps your phone match the condition you declare, which is what keeps the final price close to your quote.

Before you book a pickup

• Back up everything. Use iCloud backup or a computer backup so photos, chats and app data move to your next phone.
• Transfer WhatsApp and banking apps properly. Make sure your number, two-factor apps and UPI apps are set up on the new device before you hand over the old one.
• Check battery health. Go to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health and Charging, and note the maximum capacity. Declare it honestly.
• Look at the phone in good light. Check the screen, back glass, edges and camera lenses for cracks, chips or deep scratches. A case can hide wear you have forgotten about.
• Test the basics. Face ID, cameras, speakers, microphones, charging, buttons and mobile network should all work.
• Find the box and charging cable if you have them. They are not always required but help the next owner trust the phone.

On the day of the sale

• Sign out of your Apple Account. Go to Settings, tap your name and sign out. This turns off Find My and Activation Lock; a locked phone cannot be resold.
• Remove your SIM or eSIM. Take out the physical SIM and, if you use eSIM, make sure your number is active on your new phone first.
• Unpair your Apple Watch and other accessories. This avoids headaches with your next phone.
• Erase the phone. Use Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings. With ReUz, the executive also verifies a certified data wipe in front of you.
• Keep your ID handy. Reputable buyers ask for basic identification to keep the trade legitimate.

Common mistakes that cost iPhone sellers money

After a price hike, it is tempting to assume your phone is worth more than it is, or to accept the first offer you see. Both can cost you. Avoid these common errors:

• Comparing your used phone with the new list price. A used iPhone 16 will not fetch ₹89,900 because the new one costs that. Buyers pay for a used phone relative to what else they can get, including discounts and festival deals.
• Overstating condition. Calling a phone "like new" when it has a chipped corner only leads to a lower price at inspection and wasted time for both sides.
• Waiting for a perfect moment. Every month adds wear and pushes your model further from the newest generation. Unless you plan to keep the phone for years, waiting rarely helps.
• Accepting an exchange value without comparing. Retail exchange values are convenient, but they are only one offer. A two-minute online quote tells you whether you are leaving money on the table.
• Meeting strangers from listings sites. Private sales can get a decent price but come with real risks: fake payment screenshots, last-minute haggling and safety concerns. A verified buyer with instant UPI payment avoids all of that.
• Forgetting to sign out of iCloud. An Activation Lock on the phone stalls the sale and can mean a second visit.

Three real-life scenarios: what should you do?

"I want the iPhone 18 Pro but the price shocked me"

This is the most common situation this season. Start by getting an honest quote for your current phone. If you own a recent Pro, resale can cover well over half the cost of the new one. Then look at bank offers on the new phone during the festive sales. If the remaining amount still feels too high, consider waiting until you actually need a new phone; but remember that your current phone's value will keep slipping in the meantime.

"I want to step down to a cheaper iPhone and save money"

With new iPhones now starting at ₹79,900, stepping down to another new iPhone saves less than it used to. If you have a Pro and want to free up cash, consider selling it and buying a well-checked used or refurbished model instead. You can browse certified used iPhones on ReUz and compare. The difference between selling a Pro and buying a good used standard model can be substantial.

"I've got an old iPhone lying in a drawer"

Many households have one or two older iPhones that nobody uses. These phones only lose value over time, and the price hike on new iPhones means there are buyers who would happily use them. Charge it, check it still powers on, sign out of iCloud and get a quote. Even an older model like an iPhone 13 can be worth more than you expect, and the money is better in your bank account than in a drawer.

Thinking of selling your iPhone?

The 2026 price hike has made new iPhones more expensive than ever in India, which makes a fair, fast and safe sale of your old phone more valuable. Whether you own an iPhone 17 Pro, an iPhone 16 or an older model, here is how selling with ReUz works:

1. Get an instant quote in about 60 seconds. Search for your iPhone model, pick your storage and answer a few honest condition questions.
2. Book a free doorstep pickup. Pickup is available in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, and an executive can usually reach you within about 90 minutes.
3. Quick inspection at your door. A roughly 10-minute check confirms the condition, and the final price is explained before you decide.
4. Data wiped in front of you. The executive verifies a certified data wipe so nothing personal leaves with the phone.
5. Get paid on the spot. Money reaches you by UPI or bank transfer before the executive leaves.

If you do not like the final offer, you can simply say no and keep your phone, with no fees. And with our price promise, ReUz aims to pay up to 10% more than a comparable written offer for the same model, storage and condition. Start with your model page, for example sell your iPhone 16 or get a quote for your iPhone 17 Pro, and see what your phone is worth today.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Apple increase iPhone prices in India in 2026?

Apple said it was raising prices globally because memory and storage chips have become more expensive, with reports linking this to heavy demand from AI data centres. In India, import duties on components and 18% GST add to the cost, which is why Indian increases (₹10,000 to ₹65,000 depending on the variant) were steeper than the flat $100 rise in the US.

Which iPhones became more expensive after the iPhone 18 Pro launch?

According to Business Today and Smartprix, the iPhone 17e, iPhone 16, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air all went up. The iPhone 17 256GB moved from ₹82,900 to ₹99,900, the iPhone 17e 256GB from ₹64,900 to ₹79,900, the iPhone 16 to ₹89,900, and the iPhone Air 1TB from ₹1,59,900 to ₹2,24,900. The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max were discontinued rather than cut in price.

Does the price hike increase the resale value of my used iPhone?

It does not add a fixed amount to your phone's value, but it helps. When new iPhones cost more, more buyers look at well-kept used phones, which supports demand. Your own phone's value still depends mainly on its model, storage, battery health and physical condition. The fastest way to know is to get an instant quote for your exact variant.

Is it better to use an exchange offer or sell my iPhone separately?

Compare both. Exchange offers are convenient but tie the value to one purchase and can be reduced on delivery if the inspection finds issues. Selling separately gives you cash by UPI that you can use anywhere, and lets you combine bank offers on your new phone freely. Pick whichever puts more money in your pocket after a like-for-like comparison.

Should I wait for prices to come down before selling?

Waiting usually works against sellers. New iPhone prices could stay high for some time, but your particular phone keeps ageing, its battery wears and the next generation will eventually push it further down the price ladder. If you are planning to sell within the next few months, selling while your phone is in good shape is generally the better choice.

Sources

• Business Today: iPhone 17, iPhone Air, 17e get costlier in India after Apple event (10 September 2026)
• Smartprix: Apple raises iPhone Air, iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e prices globally, iPhone 16 also gets costlier
• Khaleej Times (Reuters): India gets one of world's steepest iPhone price hikes
• Zoutons: Amazon Great Indian Festival 2026 mobile price list