New Delhi: Apple’s newly launched iPhone 17 Air and 17 models are witnessing robust demand in India, surpassing the performance of last year’s Plus and 16 series devices, according to vendors and industry analysts. The momentum is seen as a boost to the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, with the latest series flying off the shelves across the country.
Analysts forecast that Apple is on course to achieve its highest festive season sales in India, projecting a 28 per cent year-on-year growth in 2025. The company recorded nearly $9 billion in sales last fiscal year, driven by rising disposable incomes and growing appetite for premium devices.
In the first week alone, sales of the iPhone 17 series were 19 per cent higher compared to the iPhone 16 series. “The new iPhone 17 Air, despite a higher price, is gaining stronger traction than last year's Plus model,” said Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, highlighting Apple’s effective use of India’s premiumization trend.
Apple is expected to surpass 4.5 million shipments this festive quarter, with the iPhone Air playing a key role in driving growth. Prabhu Ram, Vice-President at the Industry Research Group (IRG), CMR, noted, in a market dominated by value-for-money devices, there is healthy growth for premium smartphones, fueled by rising disposable incomes among the middle class. “Apple's growth momentum is driven by its strong brand salience, increased manufacturing and retail focus in the market” he said.
The iPhone 17 (256 GB) is priced from Rs 82,900, while the iPhone 17 Air (256 GB) starts at Rs 119,900. The iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB) begins at Rs 134,900 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max (256 GB) at Rs 149,900.
The iPhone 17 Air introduces a titanium design that is lighter yet stronger, with enhanced durability from Ceramic Shield protection on both sides. It features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion up to 120Hz, powered by Apple’s latest A19 Pro, N1 and C1X chips for improved performance and efficiency. Its 48MP Fusion Main camera and 18MP Center Stage front camera are designed to deliver superior image quality.
The iPhone 17 comes with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display, the A19 chip, and a triple-lens camera system, including a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide, offering enhanced photography capabilities.
India has also become central to Apple’s production strategy, with one in every five iPhones now manufactured in the country.