Apple raises older iPhone prices in India after iPhone 18 launch

Apple has raised prices for older iPhone models in India following the iPhone 18 launch, reversing the traditional pattern where previous generations became cheaper entry points. The iPhone 17 jumped from Rs 82,900 to Rs 99,900, with similar increases for other models. The price hikes stem from surging memory chip costs driven by AI data-centre demand, which has diverted production away from consumer components. Former Apple CEO Tim Cook called the situation a "hundred-year flood" and said price increases were "unavoidable" due to unsustainable component costs. Deloitte warns memory supply tightness could persist until 2029 or 2030, potentially affecting smartphones, PCs, and automobiles. The shift signals broader electronics industry changes, though taxes and currency movements also contribute to India-specific pricing.