Airtel offers iPhone 7 at a down payment of Rs 7,777, but is it a good deal?

Technology

On Monday, Bharti Airtel introduced a new scheme under which a customer can buy iPhone 7 (32GB) by making a down payment of Rs 7,777. The new scheme is part of the company’s new online store which focuses on providing customers affordable down payments, instant credit verification and financing, and bundled monthly plans.

After making a down payment of Rs 7,777, customers can make the rest of payment through 24 monthly installments of Rs 2,499. The monthly installment includes Airtel’s postpaid plan under which the operator is offering 30GB of monthly data and unlimited calling (local, STD and national roaming).

Airtel has partnered with Apple Inc., HDFC Bank, Clix Capital, Seynse Technologies, Brightstar Telecommunications and Vulcan Express for its Online Store.

Fine prints

Customers can opt out of the offer at any time during the term without registering for an upgrade by repaying the outstanding loan amount, Airtel explains on its website.

“If the auto-debit fails for any reason, you agree to immediately pay the EMI(s) to Airtel Services through alternate means specified by Airtel Services in the consolidated statement of account issued by it or as otherwise specified. If you do not make such payment within 7 (seven) days of the designated auto-debit date, You will be in default,” says the operator.

Other models

You can also buy iPhone 7 128GB at a down payment of Rs 16,300. The Airtel Online Store also features the 32GB and 128GB variants of iPhone 7 Plus which are available at a down payment of Rs 17,300 and Rs 26,000 respectively. The EMIs for all these phones remain at Rs 2,499.

Is it a good deal?

Let’s take the iPhone 7 32GB model for reference. The smartphone is available online for Rs 38,999. With Airtel’s bundled Rs 2,499 plan, you end up paying a total of Rs 67,753 in two years.

But in comparison, if you buy the same model on Amazon and avail a similarly priced monthly installment and bundle an equivalent postpaid plan, the price will come down to roughly Rs 75,000 for 24 months. (We referred HDFC’s Rs 2,433 monthly EMI plan on Amazon India for 18 months and Airtel’s Rs 649 postpaid plan.) With Airtel’s offer, you can save up to Rs 7,000.

While buying from other e-commerce websites gives you the liberty to switch to any network you want, Airtel’s offer includes future benefits such as an easy upgrade plan for newer iPhones. Also, the entry price for buying iPhone is less than Rs 8,000, which makes it easier for a larger number of people to buy it.

Source: hindustantimes