Raksha Bandhan is more than a festival—it’s a celebration of sibling bonds, memories, and thoughtful surprises. For 2025, tech gifting has a new champion: Apple’s iPhone 15—now available for as low as ₹44,900, making it one of the most attractively priced iPhones since launch.

Whether you’re buying for a sibling or yourself, these limited-time deals make the iPhone 15 a serious contender in the under-₹50K segment.

Understanding the ₹45,000 Price Tag: How Is It Possible?

Apple launched the iPhone 15 (128GB) at ₹79,900 in September 2023. As of mid-2025, pricing has dropped significantly on major platforms, especially when combined with exchange offers and bank card discounts.

Deal Breakdown:

If you’re trading in an iPhone 12 or 13, your effective upgrade cost drops by ₹30,000+.

Why This Matters: Value vs. Timing

Historically, Apple doesn’t slash prices dramatically. What makes this deal exceptional?

• Pre-iPhone 16 Window: As iPhone 16 nears launch, retailers clear out iPhone 15 stock.
• Raksha Bandhan Demand Spike: Gift season brings aggressive pricing to drive sales.
• Exchange Ecosystem Maturity: India now has trade-in pipelines that offer real value for older iPhones.
• Bank-Backed Campaigns: Cashback and EMI options sweeten the pot—especially on SBI, HDFC, and ICICI platforms.

iPhone 15 Specs Recap (Still Flagship-Worthy)

• 6.1” Super Retina XDR display
• A16 Bionic chip — Same as iPhone 14 Pro
• 48MP Main Camera — Major leap over iPhone 14’s 12MP
• Dynamic Island — A Pro-only feature now in base models
• USB-C Port — Future-ready charging
• iOS 17 (Upgradable to iOS 19+)

You’re not buying a “budget iPhone.” You’re getting Apple’s 2023 flagship minus the Pro features, at nearly half the launch price.

Real Buyer Scenarios: Case Studies

Gifting a Younger Sibling (Mumbai)

Rohan traded in his sister’s iPhone 11 for ₹17,000, got ₹4,000 HDFC cashback, and bought the iPhone 15 at ₹44,900. Total spend: ₹23,900.

Upgrading from iPhone XR (Delhi)

Simran’s XR fetched ₹13,200 in exchange. Using SBI card discount and cashback, her final cost came to ₹30,500.

First-Time iPhone Buyer (Bengaluru)

Ashish, a Flipkart Plus user, got a no-exchange deal at ₹55,000 during a limited flash drop. He used Amazon Pay cashback credits to lower the price further.

Buyer Psychology: Why It Feels Worth It

iPhone is not just a device—it’s an aspirational brand in India. With many users holding off due to price, these Raksha Bandhan offers eliminate the price barrier while adding emotional appeal.

• Gift factor: Unlike generic phones, iPhones carry social status and brand weight.
• Longevity: You get at least 4 years of OS updates, future-proofing your gift.
• User Delight: FaceTime, iMessage, AirDrop — all exclusive iOS perks become instantly accessible.

Shopping Platforms Comparison

Pro Tips for Buyers

• Backup your old iPhone before trade-in to avoid delays.
• Check screen damage — cracked screens reduce trade-in value by 50–80%.
• Clear Apple ID from old phones to unlock full value.
• Buy before August 10, as Rakhi campaigns usually expire early.
• Compare your exchange value on Apple India vs Amazon for best ROI.

What’s Going On?

On July 24, 2025, reports emerged that Xiaomi has decided not to launch its Xiaomi 15 Civi model in India this year. This move reportedly stems from the underwhelming performance of the Xiaomi 14 Civi when launched last year, despite heavy promotion around its Leica-branded camera and premium styling. Xiaomi has yet to make an official announcement, but the strategy appears confirmed by multiple industry sources.

Which Models Are Affected?

• Xiaomi 15 Civi: Slated to be a mid‑segment device priced between ₹35,000–₹45,000, this model has reportedly been canceled for the Indian market.
• Xiaomi 14 Civi: The predecessor launched in mid‑2024 did not meet sales targets and is currently available only at heavy discounts.

The cancellation reflects Xiaomi’s retreat from the premium-mid range tier in India amid weak consumer response.

Why the Change?

• Disappointing sales of 14 Civi: Despite strong branding and specs, Xiaomi 14 Civi failed to resonate with buyers, prompting Xiaomi to reconsider follow‑up models.
• Strategic ‘premiumization’ pivot: Xiaomi is doubling down on the ₹20,000+ segment and higher-priced flagships, moving away from its traditional high-volume budget focus.
• Inventory and internal overstock: Industry reports cite bloated inventory and slower sales for Redmi Note models, leading to reduced appetite for similar mid‑segment phones.

Market Context: Xiaomi’s Decline in India

• Slipping market share: According to Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi’s share dropped to 17% in 2024, and further slid to just 13% in Q1 2025.
• Falling out of top 5: IDC data reports that in Q1 2025 Xiaomi fell to sixth position in India, after shipments dropped 42% year‑on‑year.
• Strategic missteps cited by analysts: Experts poin

User experiences echo this sentiment: Redmi Note series became e‑waste… note 11/12 overpriced… people aren’t buying.

What It Means for Users

• Consumers seeking phones in the ₹30K–45K bracket may have fewer Xiaomi options—especially at the upper mid‑range.
• Discount opportunities: The lingering stock of Xiaomi 14 Civi might be available at significantly reduced prices.
• Shift in brand focus: Xiaomi is repositioning itself toward higher-end models, targeting segments dominated by Samsung and OnePlus.
• Poor retail support: Offline retailers reportedly feel sidelined by Xiaomi’s shifting priorities, which could affect availability.

FAQs

Which Xiaomi model is being stopped in India?

The Xiaomi 15 Civi is reportedly not launching in India following lackluster reception of its predecessor, the 14 Civi.

Why did Xiaomi pull the plug?

The 14 Civi underperfromed, leading Xiaomi to abandon its mid‑tier phone strategy for a leaner, premium-focused portfolio.

Is this part of a larger trend?

Yes, Xiaomi is pivoting toward higher-value models and consolidating its lineup after seeing sharp sales declines and suffered retail relations.

Bottom Line

Xiaomi’s decision to halt the 15 Civi launch signals a broader rethink of its India strategy: retreating from the mid‑segment toward refining its brand identity around higher-margin flagships and fewer, more focused models. With market share shrinking and competitors gaining ground, Xiaomi appears to be betting on quality over quantity in 2025.

What Triggered the Ban?

In a significant move to regulate online streaming content, the Indian government has blocked 25 OTT platforms, including popular apps like ULLU and ALTBalaji (ALTT), for airing vulgar, obscene, and pornographic material.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), in coordination with MeitY, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and law enforcement agencies, took action after multiple complaints and legal violations were noted.

These platforms were found streaming content that objectified women, promoted indecent acts, or lacked any social narrative, often under the guise of adult web series or reality shows.

Full List of Banned OTT Platforms

Here are the 25 OTT platforms now blocked in India:

1. ALTBalaji (ALTT)
2. ULLU
3. Big Shots App
4. Desiflix
5. Boomex
6. NeonX VIP
7. Navarasa Lite
8. Gulab App
9. Kangan App
10. Bull App
11. ShowHit
12. Jalva App
13. Wow Entertainment
14. Look Entertainment
15. Hitprime
16. Fugi
17. Feneo
18. ShowX
19. Sol Talkies
20. Adda TV
21. HotX VIP
22. Hulchul App
23. MoodX
24. Triflicks
25. MojFlix

The platforms are now inaccessible through ISPs and their mobile apps have been delisted from app stores.

What Legal Provisions Were Violated?

The platforms were found in violation of:

• Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (related to publishing sexually explicit content).
• Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
• Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (equivalent to obscenity laws).

These laws aim to protect the public, particularly minors, from exposure to inappropriate content online.

Past Warnings Ignored

This action didn’t come without prior notice. Several advisories and notices were issued by:

• Digital Publisher Content Grievance Council (DPCGC)
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
• MIB’s Intermediary Guidelines advisory

OTT apps like ULLU even took down shows like House Arrest temporarily in May 2025, but later re-uploaded edited versions, indicating blatant non-compliance.

What Happens Next?

The government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward platforms that disregard content guidelines. Experts believe this may set a precedent for more stringent OTT regulations and mandatory certification, similar to CBFC rules for films.

Meanwhile, platforms with self-regulation mechanisms and clean content remain unaffected.