Apple iPhone lineup and leadership shifts expected

Apple is preparing for a significant shift in its iPhone lineup and leadership. Reports suggest that for the September 2026 launch, Apple may skip the standard iPhone 18 model, making the iPhone 18 Pro the entry-level option in the new series. In India, this could raise the starting price for a new iPhone to upwards of ₹1,45,000, a substantial increase from the ₹82,900 entry point seen in previous years.

This transition coincides with a leadership change at Apple, as Tim Cook is expected to step down, with John Ternus taking over as chief executive on September 1.

In the current market, Flipkart’s Freedom Sale is offering significant discounts on the iPhone 17. Through a combination of direct discounts, bank offers, and exchange programs, the effective price can reach approximately ₹47,405, provided users trade in a device valued between ₹24,000 and ₹28,000. Without a trade-in, the price after bank discounts is estimated to be between ₹71,000 and ₹72,000.