If you have been waiting to buy Apple’s latest standard iPhone, next week might be the best time to pull the trigger. Flipkart has announced that the iPhone 17 will see its first significant price drop during the upcoming Republic Day sale, which begins on January 17.
The deal breakdown
According to a teaser on the e-commerce platform, the iPhone 17 will be listed at an effective price of ₹74,999. This is a substantial drop from its original launch price of ₹82,900.
While Flipkart has not released the exact math behind the discount, it confirmed that HDFC Bank credit card holders will get a 10 percent instant discount. This bank offer will likely be combined with a flat price cut to reach that sub-₹75,000 figure. As usual, Flipkart Plus and VIP members will get early access to these deals before the sale opens to everyone else.
Better screen and faster charging
The iPhone 17 is a bigger upgrade than usual for the non-Pro lineup. For the first time, the standard model includes a 120Hz “ProMotion” display, a feature previously reserved for the much more expensive Pro phones. This makes scrolling through apps and browsing the web look significantly smoother.
Under the hood, it uses the new A19 chip and runs on iOS 26. Apple also addressed a common complaint by increasing charging speeds to 40W, meaning the phone spends less time plugged into the wall. For photography, it uses a dual 48-megapixel camera setup on the back and an upgraded 18MP selfie camera that keeps you centered during video calls.
Market Impact & Context
Seeing a price drop of this magnitude less than six months after launch is aggressive for Apple products. Typically, iPhones hold their launch price firmly until late in the year.
By dropping the price to ₹74,999, the iPhone 17 is now cheaper than many premium Android flagships. This move is likely intended to attract buyers who skipped the initial launch in September because of the high price tag, positioning the phone as a strong competitor against the Samsung Galaxy S-series.
What comes next
The sale officially starts on January 17. Buyers looking to trade in an old phone should also look out for exchange bonuses, which are often added once the sale goes live.
