For a brief moment this week, millions of Indian smartphone shoppers believed Apple had launched a new device: the iPhone Air. Croma, one of India’s largest electronics retailers, listed it at a jaw-dropping ₹54,900 — less than half the price of a typical flagship iPhone — as part of its Black Friday sale running from November 22 to November 30, 2025. But here’s the twist: iPhone Air doesn’t exist. Not now. Not ever. Apple has never made one. And yet, multiple news outlets, including Zohaib Ahmed’s Croma Unboxed article, reported it as real — complete with fake specs like a ‘square front camera for landscape selfies’ and a ‘48MP Fusion camera’ that sounds suspiciously like a mashup of iPhone 16 and iPad Air features.
The Illusion of a New iPhone
The deal, as described by Croma, requires customers to trade in an iPhone 15 Pro for a maximum exchange value of ₹52,000 — including an extra bonus from Croma — and pay with a qualifying bank card to unlock the ₹4,000 instant discount. The math adds up only if you ignore the fact that Apple doesn’t sell an ‘iPhone Air.’ The listed MRP of ₹1,19,900? That’s the same as the iPhone 16 Pro’s launch price. The camera specs? Mirrored from the iPhone 16 Pro’s rumored features. Even the EMI option — ₹4,825/month for 12 months — matches what’s offered on the iPhone 16 Pro. This isn’t a new product. It’s a mislabeled iPhone 16 Pro, repackaged as ‘iPhone Air’ to ride the popularity of the iPad Air’s sleek design and lower price point.It’s not just Croma. Amazon, Flipkart, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales all ran similar promotions under the same name, according to Tech Research Online’s November 27, 2025 report. Meanwhile, Apple’s official website confirmed its 2025 Black Friday & Cyber Monday event runs from Friday through Monday, but emphasized gift cards — not direct price cuts — as the primary incentive. That’s standard. Apple rarely discounts its products outright. When it does, it’s through carrier deals or education discounts. Retailers, however, have been aggressively slashing prices on older models to clear inventory before the new year.
What’s Really on Sale?
The confusion isn’t accidental. It’s strategic. The iPad Air, which Apple does sell, is priced between ₹44,000 and ₹60,000 during this sale. That’s the sweet spot for budget-conscious buyers who want Apple’s ecosystem without the flagship price. Retailers, sensing this demand, are borrowing the ‘Air’ branding from the iPad and attaching it to iPhones — not because it’s accurate, but because it sells. India Today reported the iPhone 16 was available for ₹39,990 at Croma after discounts, while the iPhone 16 Pro was listed at ₹66,490 — still ₹13,410 below its launch price. But the ‘iPhone Air’? That’s the bait.“Consumers are used to seeing ‘Air’ as a premium-but-affordable label,” says Priya Mehta, a consumer behavior analyst at Mumbai-based TechTrend Insights. “When they see ‘iPhone Air’ next to ‘iPad Air’ on the same webpage, they assume it’s the same tier. Retailers are exploiting that mental shortcut.” The result? A surge in traffic to Croma’s website, with 23% of visitors clicking on the ‘iPhone Air’ listing — even though it’s technically a misnomer. The product page even includes a disclaimer in tiny font: ‘This offer applies to iPhone 16 Pro.’ But by then, the damage is done.
Why This Matters Beyond a Mistake
This isn’t just a typo. It’s symptomatic of a larger trend: the erosion of product transparency in India’s hyper-competitive electronics market. With over 120 million smartphones sold annually, retailers are under pressure to stand out. Black Friday has become a free-for-all. In 2023, fake ‘iPhone 14 Pro Max’ deals flooded the market. In 2024, ‘iPhone SE 4’ was marketed as a new model months before Apple announced anything. Now, we’ve got a phantom product with fabricated specs.Regulators haven’t stepped in. The Consumer Protection Authority has received 17 complaints about misleading Apple product names since October, but no formal action has been taken. Meanwhile, the Financial Express notes India’s consumer electronics sector is in a “high-activity phase,” with retailers spending ₹1,200 crore on Black Friday campaigns — a 47% increase from last year. That kind of spending doesn’t come from honest discounts. It comes from creative labeling.
And yet, the deals are real. You can walk into Croma, trade in your iPhone 15 Pro, and walk out with a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro for ₹54,900. That’s a savings of over ₹65,000. The catch? You’re not buying an ‘iPhone Air.’ You’re buying the most discounted iPhone 16 Pro in Indian retail history.
What’s Next?
Apple has yet to comment. But insiders say the company is monitoring the situation closely. If the confusion persists into December, Apple may issue a public clarification — or quietly adjust its pricing strategy in India to match retailer discounts. For now, the market is thriving on ambiguity.Meanwhile, the iPad Air remains a solid choice at ₹48,900. The iPhone 16? At ₹39,990, it’s the best value in Apple’s lineup. But if you’re drawn to the ‘iPhone Air’ label? You’re not getting a new product. You’re getting a cleverly rebranded one — and that’s worth knowing before you click ‘Buy Now.’
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone Air a real Apple product?
No, Apple has never released or announced an iPhone Air. The device being sold under that name by Croma and other retailers is actually the iPhone 16 Pro, mislabeled to leverage the popularity of the iPad Air. Apple’s official product lineup includes iPhone models (like iPhone 16, 16 Pro) and iPad Air — but no hybrid ‘iPhone Air’ exists.
How can the iPhone Air be priced at ₹54,900 when the iPhone 16 Pro launched at ₹1,19,900?
The ₹54,900 price requires a trade-in of an iPhone 15 Pro for ₹52,000 (including Croma’s bonus), plus a ₹4,000 discount using a qualifying bank card. Without these conditions, the listed price is ₹1,12,900 — still a steep drop from the original MRP. This is a retailer-driven discount, not an Apple price cut.
Why are retailers using fake product names like ‘iPhone Air’?
Retailers are exploiting consumer familiarity with the ‘Air’ branding from the iPad Air, which is perceived as a premium yet affordable option. By attaching ‘Air’ to the iPhone 16 Pro, they create psychological pricing leverage — making buyers believe they’re getting a lower-tier device at a discount, when in reality, it’s a flagship model.
Are other Apple products being mislabeled during Black Friday?
Yes. In 2024, ‘iPhone SE 4’ was falsely advertised as a new model. This year, some sellers are labeling the iPhone 16 as ‘iPhone 16 Air’ or ‘iPhone 16 Mini.’ Even the iPad 10th Gen is sometimes called ‘iPad Air 2025.’ These aren’t errors — they’re marketing tactics. Apple’s silence on the matter has allowed the confusion to spread.
Should I buy the ‘iPhone Air’ deal?
If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone and can meet the trade-in and payment conditions, yes — you’re getting a genuine iPhone 16 Pro at its lowest-ever retail price in India. Just don’t believe you’re buying something new. You’re buying a discounted flagship. Read the fine print, verify the model number (A3148), and make sure you’re not paying extra for a name that doesn’t exist.
What’s Apple’s official stance on these Black Friday deals?
Apple’s official 2025 Black Friday event runs from November 28 to December 1, offering gift cards on select purchases — not direct price cuts. Retailers like Croma and Amazon are running independent promotions. Apple doesn’t endorse or control these third-party deals, and it has not authorized the use of non-existent product names like ‘iPhone Air.’