Updated September 2026: in late 2020 I wanted the iPhone 12, found it over my budget and watched offers on the iPhone 11 while using my wife's Android phone. I have rewritten it into a practical guide to buying an iPhone on a budget in India.
My plan was to buy the new iPhone 12. At launch it was beyond my budget, and Apple introduced the iPhone 12 mini at the price the previous year's model had launched at. Meanwhile online shopping sites were running heavy discounts on the iPhone 11. I kept using my wife's Android phone while I decided.
What are the ways to buy an iPhone for less?
- Buy the previous model after a new launch, when Apple and retailers reduce its price.
- Wait for festive sales such as the big online sales around Diwali, when iPhones are often at their lowest prices of the year.
- Use bank offers and exchange: instant discounts on selected cards and trade-in value for your old phone can add up.
- Consider refurbished from sellers who give a proper warranty.
Is the smaller model a good way to save?
Not always. The iPhone 12 mini was cheaper than the 12 but had a smaller battery, and Apple discontinued the mini line after the 13 mini. Compare the cheaper model you are considering on battery life and storage, not only price.
How do you judge a discount?
Check the price history on a price tracker, compare the effective price after bank offers, and remember that the listed "original price" is often not what the phone was selling for. A genuine deal is a price below what the phone has typically sold for recently.
What about software support?
Apple supports iPhones for several years, but older models stop receiving major updates sooner. A phone that is one or two years old still has good support ahead of it. A much older discounted model may lose updates soon after you buy it.
Should you wait or buy now?
If your current phone works, waiting for a sale or the next launch usually saves money. If you need a phone now, the previous model with a bank offer is typically the best value. My own choice in 2020 was between exactly those two, and both are reasonable depending on how urgently you need the phone.
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