Lately, it seemed that the iPhone had lost its primary function, which was not just making calls. Its true role was to demonstrate a person's status in a room even before they uttered their arrogant words. However, economic growth and the concept of 'interest-free installment plans' have changed this situation, making the iPhone accessible to everyone, including people with different income levels.
India, a country with a traditional system of social ranking, has begun to be influenced by two decades of liberalization. During this period, the iPhone emerged as a new symbol of status, marked by the bitten apple logo. Over time, this gadget contributed to leveling the playing field, yet the income gap between the ultra-rich and ordinary residents of neighborhoods continued to widen, reaching oceanic proportions.
Despite the vast financial distance, both these types of people found themselves very close on Apple's list, as they could afford the '17 Pro Max' model. The wealthy individual could afford a phone with 2 TB of storage, although theoretically, they could buy millions of terabytes, but the iPhone is limited to 2 TB, and the volume of terabytes goes unnoticed by others. This data storage feature is a tragedy: it is a hidden symbol of status inside the phone. Thus, if the iPhone was a symbol of status, the rich and the poor ended up on the same level.
In response to this, the wealthy and sophisticated segments of the population found a new way to distinguish themselves: they began purchasing Samsung Galaxy Ultra in upscale areas. Rohan from a large house displays his ultraphone not because he loves Android, but because his driver Hareram is unwilling to sell a kidney for an iPhone, while he himself willingly sold both kidneys for an iPhone. In other words, the old path was abandoned to preserve individuality.
Apple noticed this trend. Although the iPhone was widespread in India, the desire to own it was weakening as everyone became more equal. This phenomenon was observed in European countries, where the iPhone was not even available to the poorest, and tech-savvy people were unwilling to buy it. The situation is similar in America, where the phone means iPhone. However, India differs from Europe and America. If interest in the iPhone wanes in India, it will lead to a collapse, as the essence of India lies in the pursuit of progress and achievement.
Therefore, on Wednesday night, Apple did what 'Manu' did. It set new rules: the iPhone Duo with 256 GB costs 299,900 rupees, and the 2 TB version costs 449,900 rupees. Even if you don't need 2 TB, you will still buy it. Pre-orders start on October 16, and delivery is on October 23, the day your lost 'dignity' returns to you. For those unfamiliar with Sanskrit, 'Duo' means two, and 'Dvija' means upper class, being a true 'Brahmin' of this line. But here comes the twist, and you will bow when you see the monthly installment plan—about twelve and a half thousand rupees over two years. Usually, people like Tappu earn enough per month that this scheme is only beneficial to those who never needed any scheme. The real game is that the Duo lacks the 'Face ID' feature (facial recognition). You don't need to recognize the face; rather, your face needs to recognize it.
Below the Duo is the Kshatriya—iPhone 18 Pro Max, priced at 179,900 rupees, which is 30,000 rupees more than last year. It doesn't make drastic turns, but it still guards the boundary between the very rich and the moderately rich, like a warrior. Below it is the Vaishya—iPhone 18 Pro, priced at 164,900 rupees. This applies to the trading class, middle class, accountants, or founders who successfully run their startup in the second year. These are ambitious people who live comfortably but always remain 15,000 rupees behind the Pro Max and slightly below the threshold for buying the Duo. In cricket terminology: 'Pro' is an IPL contract, 'Pro Max' is a Test Cap, and 'Duo' is the BCCI itself. And that's it. Three castes are accounted for. The fourth caste is ignored by this Apple 'Manusmriti.'
There is no standard iPhone 18 model. Only the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are presented. The press release contains a small phrase that the regular iPhone 18 might appear in spring, which in Apple language means 'not yet'. Let the rich enjoy their wealth all winter. When spring comes, she will come too. Until then, watch the gleam of Sunaina's steps as she calls her driver to pick her up in front of the promenade: 'Bhaya, pick me up in front of the Promenade.'
Meanwhile, people from lower strata continue to burn with envy and prepare to skip a meal. Last year's iPhone 17 is now priced at 99,900 rupees, which is 17% cheaper than last year.