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Apple’s higher iPhone prices in India could push more buyers toward refurbished models as consumers seek lower-cost access to the company’s devices. The price gap between new and pre-owned iPhones has widened after Apple raised prices this year.
Reuters reported that the starting price of the iPhone 17 rose by nearly 21% to Rs. 99,900 in India, while the 1TB iPhone Air increased by 41% to Rs. 2,24,900. With new models moving further into the premium range, older iPhones may attract buyers who want Apple’s software, cameras and ecosystem.
Cashify expects the latest iPhone launch to increase trade-ins and demand for older devices. The company expects buybacks to rise during the first 30 days after launch and gather pace over 60 to 90 days as more used devices enter the resale market.
Festive sales may support this shift. Discounts, exchange offers and wider availability can make refurbished devices more attractive to buyers who do not want to pay close to Rs. 1 lakh for a new base-model iPhone. Certified refurbished phones may gain attention because sellers provide testing, grading and warranty support.
Counterpoint Research data points to market growth. Refurbished smartphone sales in India rose 13% year on year in the first half of 2026, while new smartphone sales fell about 11%. Counterpoint analyst Prachir Singh said “rising memory costs are changing the value equation for consumers,” making refurbished phones a cheaper route to higher-end features.
Cashify expects the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series to see strong growth in buybacks as owners move to newer models. This could increase the supply of iPhones in the refurbished market and give buyers more choices below the price of Apple’s latest devices.
Older models may remain important. Cashify data showed that the iPhone 13 accounted for 6.93% of smartphone buybacks on its platform but made up 15.5% of refurbished demand. The model ranked as the company’s best-selling refurbished iPhone and most frequently traded-in iPhone. Counterpoint Research has also identified the iPhone 13 as a preferred refurbished model in India.
The iPhone 16 may remain more expensive in the refurbished segment at first because it still carries a higher resale value. However, as more units reach the second-hand market, buyers could see a wider range of prices across iPhone generations.
Higher demand for refurbished iPhones may make device quality more important. Buyers may check battery health, warranty terms, repair history, physical condition and testing records before making a purchase. These checks can matter more for first-time refurbished phone buyers seeking confidence before spending on a used premium device.
Organised refurbishers could gain from that focus because they can test, repair and certify used devices before resale. Even so, local second-hand sellers remain a large part of the market. Counterpoint data shows that specialised platforms handle only about 20% of second-hand phone sales.
As new iPhones become more expensive, previous-generation devices may offer a lower entry price for consumers who still want an iPhone. Demand for refurbished iPhones in India will depend on availability, resale prices, festive offers and buyer confidence in certified devices.
Also Read: iPhone 18 Pro Max Delivery Date Slips to October in India, US
