Apple has officially launched the highly anticipated iPhone 17 series in India, with prices starting at INR 82,900 for the base 256GB model. The new lineup includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the newly introduced ultra-slim iPhone Air. Apple has removed the 128GB storage variant, making 256GB the minimum for all models. The standard iPhone 17 features a vibrant 6.3-inch ProMotion OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an upgraded Ceramic Shield 2 for improved durability. It comes in fresh color options like lavender, mist blue, sage, white, and black.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models are powered by Apple’s latest A19 Pro chip and start at INR 1,34,900 and INR 1,49,900, respectively. These Pro models feature sleek titanium frames, significant camera upgrades including 8K video recording, and up to 6x optical zoom in the Pro Max. Meanwhile, the iPhone Air, priced from INR 1,19,900, is the slimmest and lightest iPhone ever, boasting a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology and a triple-camera setup, positioning itself between the standard and Pro models.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 series commence on September 12, with sales beginning on September 19, 2025. Alongside the launch, Apple has reduced prices for the previous iPhone 16 models while discontinuing the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max variants. The iPhone 17 series exemplifies Apple’s ongoing commitment to enhancing display technology, camera capabilities, and overall performance, setting a new benchmark for premium smartphones in the Indian market.

India’s deeptech ecosystem has reached a significant milestone with the launch of BIGShift, a premier accelerator programme by Inc42 and India Accelerator designed to empower early-stage startups developing breakthrough technologies. The first cohort comprises 13 innovative startups addressing complex challenges in fields such as artificial intelligence, aerospace, robotics, healthcare, and geospatial analytics. These startups benefitted from specialized capital-readiness training, strategic mentorship, and direct access to investors interested in supporting high-risk, high-reward deeptech ventures, making BIGShift a crucial platform for nurturing India’s next-generation technology leaders.

The accelerator programme uniquely combines virtual bootcamp sessions with a comprehensive two-day in-person masterclass, equipping startups with advanced go-to-market strategies, funding expertise, and a valuable network of experienced operator-mentors. Noteworthy startups from the cohort include ActionSync, focused on enterprise data unification; Polygon Geospatial, delivering AI-powered real-time spatial analytics; Purna AI, which innovates in preventive health through genetic biomarkers; Spacetaxi, pursuing reusable commercial rockets; and VertiFly, specializing in hybrid eVTOL aerial mobility solutions. This diverse group exemplifies the ingenuity and pioneering spirit of Indian deeptech entrepreneurship across multiple high-impact sectors.

BIGShift’s inaugural cohort not only accelerates technological development but also provides critical support mechanisms like pilot project matchmaking, regulatory guidance, and facilitating enterprise collaborations. As these 13 startups transition their groundbreaking solutions from the lab to the marketplace, BIGShift is poised to be a catalyst for deeptech innovation in India, helping transform scientific research into scalable, impactful businesses that will shape the country’s technological future.

Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple closed the June quarter with record revenue in over two dozen markets, driven by double-digit growth in India across iPhone, Mac and Services. During April–June, iPhone sales in India jumped 13.4% year-on-year, Mac revenue rose 15%, and Services revenue climbed 13%, each marking an all-time quarterly high. Cook emphasized that “we saw iPhone growth in every geographic segment and double-digit growth in emerging markets including India, the Middle East, South Asia, and Brazil.”

India’s strategic importance extends beyond sales into Apple’s supply chain: 71% of iPhones sold in the U.S. now carry “Country of Origin: India,” up from 31% a year ago. This shift underscores Apple’s diversification strategy and its deepening manufacturing partnerships with Foxconn, Pegatron, and Tata Electronics. Cook noted that India has become a “major manufacturing base” for iPhones destined for global markets, reducing reliance on a single region and enhancing supply stability.

Looking forward, Apple plans to open new retail stores in India later this year, bolstering its direct-to-consumer presence and capitalizing on the world’s fastest-growing smartphone market. Despite incurring approximately $800 million in tariff costs during the quarter, Cook affirmed that India’s market potential and manufacturing advantages remain “key pillars of our global strategy” as Apple accelerates its expansion across the subcontinent.