Festive sales are often the best time to grab an iPhone, and this year is no different. Amazon India has slashed prices across Apple’s lineup, with the older iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 seeing significant discounts. Attribute it to stock clearance, but if you’re looking to buy your first iPhone, there’s one deal that stands out: the iPhone 15 under Rs 50,000.
Instead of choosing an older model like the iPhone 13 or 14, shelling out a bit more for the iPhone 15 is the better option. Here’s why.
The iPhone 13 (128GB) costs around Rs 43,990 on Vijay Sales (lowest currently) while the iPhone 15 costs as low as Rs 47,249 to Rs 47,999, considering bank offers and promotions during Amazon India’s Great Indian Festival Sale. The iPhone 14 strangely costs more on online retailers at around Rs 50,490 (Vijay Sales). The gap in price between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 13 is now only Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000, a significant departure from other years when newer iPhones used to command significantly wider premiums.
For people wanting an entry point into the ecosystem of Apple, the price and specs of iPhone 15 present a strong argument over older variants. While the iPhone 14 and 13 were good choices, the iPhone 15 fills the gap with fresher looks, better hardware, and a user experience more in accordance with current standards. The biggest advantage is that buyers get to enjoy USB-C charging, a long-awaited update, which makes it easier to use existing Android chargers and eliminates travel woes. Apple also did away with the dated notch and introduced the Dynamic Island in its vanilla model with the iPhone 15 series.
Apple’s plan to continue supporting the phone with software for many years also has a part to play here. The iPhone 15 is expected to receive software support until 2030, keeping users up-to-date with upcoming iOS versions longer than the 13 or 14 models.
Paying only a slight premium over the iPhone 13, the iPhone 15 offers an upgraded 48MP camera from the 12MP, a more powerful A16 Bionic processor (compared to the A15 on previous models), a longer-lasting battery, a brighter, more colour-accurate Super Retina XDR display, and MagSafe support. If your budget allows, the upgrade to the iPhone 15 is well worth it due to its longevity, updated technology, and enhanced everyday functionality.
However, the price point of Rs 47,999 is not cheap by any standards. While paying that much for the iPhone 15 will definitely get you an entry into the Apple ecosystem, it’s still a device that’s two years old. And at this price, you have several high-end Android smartphones that offer a range of features targeting similar premium buyers.
The Android competitors deliver newer hardware, higher refresh rate displays, faster charging, and larger batteries, though some may still not match the iPhone in terms of long-term software updates or resale value. The stiffest competition the iPhone 15 faces at this price point is from Samsung’s 2024 flagship lineup’s entrant, the Galaxy S24. The phone will match the seven-year software support that Apple provides, along with newer hardware. Among other Android phones, the OnePlus 13R, Vivo V60, Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, and OPPO Reno14 Pro are priced similarly to the iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 may last you until 2030, should you choose to use it, but these Android OEMs do not offer such long software support.
If entering the Apple ecosystem is your priority, the iPhone 15 at this price is the deal to go for. However, if older hardware and dated specs bother you without longevity being a significant concern, Android alternatives would be the better bet.
Apple iPhone 15 Images
