GST on the iPhone 17 Series
Despite recent GST 2.0 reforms, the tax rate for smartphones, including the new iPhone 17 series, remains unchanged at 18%. This is because smartphones were already in the 18% tax bracket and were not part of the rate cuts that affected many other consumer electronics.
- No Price Relief: Consumers should not expect a tax-driven price drop on the new iPhones, as the 18% GST rate continues to apply. For instance, a phone priced at Rs 1.5 lakh will still incur a GST of roughly Rs 27,000.
- Other Electronics Benefit: The new tax regime, effective September 22, 2025, simplifies tax slabs to 5% and 18%. This has led to price reductions on a wide range of products like televisions, refrigerators, and air conditioners, which were previously taxed at a higher rate of 28%.
iPhone 17 Series: Pricing and Availability
- Pre-orders: Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 series began in India on September 12, 2025.
- Availability: The new iPhones are available for purchase from September 19, 2025.
- Starting Prices: The starting prices for the four models are as follows:
- iPhone 17: Rs 82,900
- iPhone Air: Rs 1,19,900
- iPhone 17 Pro: Rs 1,34,900
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Rs 1,49,900
You can pre-order or purchase the devices from Apple’s official online and retail stores, as well as major retailers like Croma, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales. E-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart are also listing the devices.