Apple has temporarily increased iPhone trade-in values in India, offering up to ₹67,500 in credit towards new iPhone purchases until August 2025. The move aims to drive upgrades amid rising production in India and global trade tensions. Customers can trade in old devices at Apple Stores or online, with enhanced offers from partnered carriers like Reliance Jio and Airtel.
Apple’s Trade-In Program Sees Major Push in India
Apple has rolled out a limited-time enhancement to its iPhone trade-in program in India, increasing the credit offered for older devices to encourage upgrades to newer models like the iPhone 16, 16 Pro, and 16E. The company announced that customers can now receive up to ₹67,500 in trade-in credit, depending on the device’s model and condition, a modest but notable increase from previous values. This offer, valid through August 2025, is available at Apple Stores across India and via the company’s online trade-in portal.
The initiative comes as Apple ramps up its manufacturing presence in India, with production hubs in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, led by partners like Foxconn and Tata Electronics. In May 2025, 89% of iPhones made in India were exported to the U.S., reflecting India’s growing role in Apple’s global supply chain amid U.S.-China trade tensions. This shift has also led Apple to localize more of its supply chain, with talks underway to source iPhone assembly equipment from Indian companies, reducing reliance on delayed Chinese imports.
The trade-in program’s boost aligns with India’s increasing appetite for premium smartphones. According to Canalys, Apple exported 20.4 million iPhones from India between January and May 2025, a 57% year-on-year increase. The company is leveraging this momentum to make its latest iPhone lineup more accessible. Customers trading in devices like the iPhone 14 or 15 series can expect credits ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹67,500, while partnered carriers such as Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vi offer additional incentives, including up to ₹10,000 extra credit for new line activations or plan upgrades.
However, the program has faced challenges. Delays in machinery imports from China and the sudden withdrawal of over 300 Chinese engineers from Foxconn’s Indian factories have raised concerns about production timelines, particularly for the upcoming iPhone 17 series. Despite these hurdles, Apple remains committed to its ‘Make in India’ strategy, supported by government incentives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has bolstered local manufacturing.
The enhanced trade-in values also come against the backdrop of U.S. trade policies, with President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on Indian-made iPhones creating uncertainty. Yet, a Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) report suggests that manufacturing in India remains financially viable for Apple, with production costs significantly lower than in the U.S., even with potential tariffs. This makes the trade-in program a strategic move to maintain market share in India’s price-sensitive market.
For consumers, the process is straightforward. Devices can be evaluated at Apple Stores or through Apple’s online trade-in partner, where customers receive an estimated value based on their device’s age, condition, and model. Credits can be applied directly to a new iPhone purchase or redeemed as gift cards. Apple has also partnered with e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon India, which are offering bundled deals on iPhone 16 models with trade-in credits.
The timing of the offer coincides with rising competition from Chinese smartphone brands like Vivo and Oppo, which have faced their own supply chain disruptions due to India-China tensions. Apple’s focus on affordability through trade-ins could help it capture a larger share of India’s premium smartphone market, projected to grow by 15% in 2025, per industry analysts.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, industry data, and sources from Canalys, GTRI, and news outlets like The Economic Times and Moneycontrol. Information is accurate as of July 2025 and subject to change based on Apple’s policies and market conditions.