iPhone 17 Pro Max price drops in India by Rs 11,508, here is how the deal works

The iPhone 17 Pro Max has received a temporary price cut in India, with Reliance Digital offering a discount of up to Rs 11,508 through a combination of flat and bank discounts. The deal brings the effective price down to Rs 1,38,392 for eligible bank card users. But, should you buy it or wait for the iPhone 18 Pro Max? Read on to find out.

In Short

• The iPhone 17 Pro Max price drops from Rs 1,49,900 to Rs 1,44,990
• The SBI credit card offer lowers the effective price to Rs 1,38,392
• Buyers can either grab the deal now or wait for the iPhone 18 Pro Max launch and possible future price cuts

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max is currently available at a lower price in India through a new Reliance Digital deal. The flagship smartphone, which was launched at Rs 1,49,900, is now listed for Rs 1,44,990 on the retailer's website, giving buyers an instant discount of Rs 4,910. People who have an SBI credit card will be able to avail more discount. Reliance Digital is offering an additional discount of Rs 6,598 on eligible SBI Bank credit card transactions, bringing the effective price down to Rs 1,38,392. This means buyers are getting a total discount of Rs 11,508 compared to the launch price.

Apart from SBI cards, the retailer is also offering bank-related benefits on select ICICI Bank and Axis Bank cards, although the final discount may differ. At the moment, there is no information on when this deal will expire. But, even without the bank offer, the deal remains attractive because buyers are still getting a flat discount of Rs 4,910. At the moment, no other online platforms are offering a similar direct price cut on Apple's top-end iPhone.

Should you buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max or wait for the iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The answer depends on how urgently you need a new phone.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max (review) is still one of the best premium smartphones available. Apple refreshed its design with a lighter aluminium body and a redesigned rear camera layout. The phone also offers a brighter display with an anti-glare coating, making it easier to use outdoors. Performance remains its major selling point, thanks to the A19 Pro chip and the addition of a vapour chamber cooling system, which helps maintain performance during gaming and other demanding tasks. Battery life is another strong point, with the device widely praised for its endurance. Apple has also upgraded the camera system with 48-megapixel sensors across the rear setup, along with improvements to the front camera.

However, buyers who can wait a few months may want to see what Apple brings with the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Based on current leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to receive several notable upgrades over the previous generation. Apple is tipped to introduce a smaller Dynamic Island with a narrower cutout, giving users more screen space while retaining the feature. The device could also pack a larger battery, potentially in the 5,100mAh to 5,200mAh range, alongside a more efficient LTPO+ display panel for improved battery life. Powering the phone is expected to be Apple's new A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC's 2nm process, which could offer faster performance and better power efficiency. Camera upgrades may include a variable aperture main sensor, a new stacked image sensor for improved image quality, and enhancements to the telephoto camera for better low-light photography and zoom performance. Apple is also rumoured to bring its next-generation C2 modem for improved connectivity, while expanded satellite communication capabilities could further improve network access in remote areas.

There is another reason to hold off. Apple typically reduces the prices of older iPhone models after launching a new generation. If the company follows the same strategy this year, the iPhone 17 Pro Max could receive an official price cut of around Rs 10,000 after the iPhone 18 series arrives. Additional festive-season offers around Diwali could make the deal even better.

So, for those planning to buy a flagship phone right now, the current Reliance Digital offer makes the iPhone 17 Pro Max a compelling purchase. But if you are not in a hurry, waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro Max launch could either get you a cheaper iPhone 17 Pro Max or access to Apple's next big upgrade.

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