Highlights

• Apple has withdrawn its demand generation (DG) support, effectively raising retail prices of older iPhones by about ₹5,000.
• Impacted models include iPhone 15, iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
• Updated iPhone prices will come into effect on March 29, 2026.

Apple has effectively increased the retail prices of older iPhones in India by withdrawing its demand generation (DG) support. As a result, models like the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Plus are now costlier by around ₹5,000 for buyers, even though their official MRP remains unchanged. Here’s everything you need to know.

Updated iPhone Prices in India (Effective March 29)

Following the withdrawal of DG support, here are the latest effective prices for older iPhone models in India –

The iPhone 15 now starts at ₹59,900 for the 128GB variants across Black, Blue, Green, and Pink colour options. The 256GB variants, available in similar colours including Yellow, are priced at ₹69,900.

The iPhone 16 128GB variants available in Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, and White are now priced at ₹69,900. The higher 256GB variants in Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, and White cost ₹79,900.

iPhone 16. (Image credit – Apple)

The iPhone 16 Plus 128GB models are priced at ₹79,900 across multiple colours such as Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, and White. Meanwhile, the 256GB variants are now available at ₹89,900.

Here’s a quick look at the new prices –

Why iPhone Prices Have Increased in India?

Apple’s DG support is a key backend incentive that has allowed retailers and channel partners to provide discounts without altering the listed price. With this incentive now being withdrawn, those backend discounts are no longer available. This means customers will have to pay a higher effective price at retail stores and online platforms.

This move comes shortly after Apple reduced cashback offers from ₹6,000 to just ₹1,000, which had already made iPhones more expensive for Indian buyers.

“Once removed, buyers may have to shell out roughly Rs 5,000 more for the same devices—particularly impacting those who were waiting for price drops on slightly older models,” a retailer told Moneycontrol on the condition of anonymity.

Importantly, this change applies only to older or sustaining models, while the iPhone 17 lineup remains unaffected.

Despite the price increase, older iPhones like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 continue to remain popular due to their strong performance and long-term software support.

FAQ

Q1. Why have iPhone prices increased in India despite unchanged MRPs?

Answer. Apple withdrew its demand generation (DG) support, which previously allowed retailers to offer backend discounts. Without it, buyers now pay about ₹5,000 more.

Q2. What are the new effective prices of iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Plus?

Answer. iPhone 15: ₹59,900 (128GB), ₹69,900 (256GB), iPhone 16: ₹69,900 (128GB), ₹79,900 (256GB) and iPhone 16 Plus: ₹79,900 (128GB), ₹89,900 (256GB).

Q3. Does this price hike affect the latest iPhone models?

Answer. No, the change applies only to older or sustaining models like iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. The iPhone 17 lineup remains unaffected

Also Read –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/apple-to-hold-iphone-18-prices-steady-despite-rising-memory-costs-says-kuo/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/older-iphones-including-iphone-15-iphone-16-and-16-plus-to-get-costlier-in-india-as-apple-withdraws-retail-incentives/