iPhone 17 launch: Will iPhone 16, 15 see price drop? Check what trend suggests

Apple will unveil its highly anticipated iPhone 17 series at the “Awe Dropping” launch event on Tuesday, September 9, at 10:30 PM IST. The event is set to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park.

While attention will be on the new models, past launches indicate that older iPhones such as the iPhone 16, iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 often see price adjustments in India following the event.

Historically, Apple follows a consistent pricing pattern. When a new iPhone is unveiled, the company typically discontinues the Pro and Pro Max variants from the previous generation while reducing the prices of the standard and Plus versions. For instance, when the iPhone 16 launched in September 2024, Apple officially cut the prices of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus by about ₹8,000-₹10,000.

A similar reduction was applied to the iPhone 14 models the year before. This strategy has become a regular feature of Apple’s product cycle.

According to Macworld, the $100 price reduction (around ₹8,000-₹10,000) is almost an Apple tradition. In some cases, the rate cuts have been even sharper. In 2007, Apple reduced the original iPhone’s price from $599 to $399 within months of launch, which at the time translated to a cut of nearly ₹16,000.

In 2011, the iPhone 3GS saw one of the steepest drops, priced at just $49 with a carrier contract in the US.

In India, the impact extends beyond official Apple Stores. The resale and secondary markets react quickly to new launches. According to Reboxed, the iPhone 14 lost around 20% of its resale value within days of the iPhone 15 launch, followed by an additional 10% over the next few weeks.

For Indian buyers, this often meant that a device worth ₹60,000 before launch dropped closer to ₹48,000 immediately after. These movements in the price create opportunities for value-conscious buyers who are willing to opt for slightly older devices. At the same time, those looking to sell their iPhones in the resale market often face declining returns if they delay beyond Apple’s launch window.

It is important to note that Apple has not yet confirmed its post-event pricing for the iPhone 16, iPhone 15, or iPhone 14 in India. However, if the company follows its practice, consumers can expect official adjustments in the days following the September 9 event. The exact reductions, usually around ₹8,000-₹10,000 per model, will be reflected once Apple updates its India website and authorised reseller listings.

The iPhone 17 Series lineup is expected to include iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Pro 3, New TechWoven cases and crossbody straps for the iPhone 17, and an upgraded Apple Clear Case, along with new Apple Watch band styles and colours, are likely to be unveiled at the September 9 event.

Apple will also introduce its iOS 26 and other software platforms, including watchOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26 and visionOS 26.

Notably, Apple is moving to year-based OS naming, as announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2025.

For many, the spotlight will be on Apple’s latest innovations. But if past launches are any guide, the real excitement for Indian consumers may be the price drops on the iPhones that came before.