iPhone 16 Price: In a major surprise ahead of the holiday shopping rush, the iPhone 16 has received one of its steepest price drops of the year. Croma’s Black Friday sale has pushed the iPhone 16 price down to an effective Rs 39,990 — a figure that immediately grabbed attention among shoppers looking to upgrade their devices before the new year. While the offer looks almost too good to ignore, it raises an important question: should you actually buy the iPhone 16 right now, or is it smarter to spend a little more for the iPhone 17?
Here’s a complete breakdown of the deal, how it works, and whether the iPhone 16 still holds up as a value-for-money buy.
Croma’s Black Friday Deal Explained
The iPhone 16 currently carries an official listing price of Rs 66,490 on Croma. This already includes a sizeable discount compared to its original launch price of Rs 79,900. Over the base discount, buyers can claim a series of additional benefits that bring the cost down even further.
Here’s how the effective price of Rs 39,990 is calculated:
- Flat discount from launch price: Rs 13,410
- Coupon benefit: Up to Rs 1,500
- Bank offer: Rs 3,000
- Exchange bonus: Rs 6,000 (over and above your device’s value)
- Exchange value for your old phone: Up to Rs 16,000
For customers exchanging an eligible device while applying all offers, the total reduction results in an effective iPhone 16 price of Rs 39,990. This makes it one of the lowest prices the model has seen since launch.
But with Black Friday deals flooding the market, a good price isn’t enough. You also need to consider whether the iPhone 16 itself is a smart long-term purchase.
Design: Classic iPhone Aesthetics With a Premium Feel
Apple hasn’t tampered too much with the visual identity of its standard-series iPhones, and the iPhone 16 continues that trend with a clean and refined build. The device features:
- A flat aluminium frame
- A Ceramic Shield back for added strength
- IP68 dust and water resistance
This makes the phone sturdy and stylish, and its design still looks contemporary even with the arrival of the iPhone 17. Anyone who prefers Apple’s minimalist design language will feel right at home.
Display: Bright and Sharp, but Still Limited to 60Hz
The iPhone 16 sports a 6.1-inch OLED display with Apple’s Dynamic Island — the floating interface element that houses system alerts and live notifications. The panel is vibrant, colour-accurate, and offers excellent outdoor visibility.
However, one limitation stands out:
It does not support ProMotion, meaning the refresh rate remains capped at 60Hz.
If you have never used a 120Hz phone, you may not miss the feature. But users coming from newer Android devices or Pro-series iPhones will notice the difference in scrolling smoothness.
Performance: A18 Chip Handles Everything Flawlessly
Where the iPhone 16 truly shines is performance. Powered by Apple’s A18 chipset, the phone delivers premium-level speed and efficiency. Everyday tasks feel effortless, and even graphics-heavy games such as BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile run without lag or excessive heating.
Apple’s chip optimisation ensures that the device will continue performing well for years, making the iPhone 16 a reliable choice for long-term usage.
Cameras: Sharp, Natural Photos but Missing Telephoto
The iPhone 16 features a dual-camera setup, consisting of:
- 48MP main sensor
- 48MP ultrawide lens
The camera delivers consistently detailed and balanced photos, staying true to Apple’s natural colour tone. Low-light performance is also impressive for a non-Pro model.
On the front, there is a 12MP selfie camera, which captures sharp and social-media-ready images.
That said, a major omission is the absence of a telephoto lens. If you frequently shoot portraits or zoomed-in photos, you may feel this limitation.
Apple addressed this in the iPhone 17, which features a newly upgraded 18MP Centre Stage camera — a noticeable improvement for video calls and selfies.
Should You Buy the iPhone 16 at Rs 39,990?
At its current effective price, the iPhone 16 offers exceptional value, especially for buyers upgrading from older models like the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12. It brings strong performance, dependable cameras, and Apple’s signature build quality.
However, before you jump in, there is a significant point to consider:
Also read: Best Cameras in USA 2025: Top DSLR, Mirrorless & Vlogging Picks for Every Creator
The iPhone 17 is Also Discounted
On Croma, the iPhone 17 is priced at Rs 45,990, meaning the difference between the two models is not very large. For roughly Rs 6,000 more, you get:
- A newer generation device
- Improved camera hardware
- Slightly better battery optimisation
- A longer software-support lifespan
If your budget is extremely tight, the iPhone 16 price of Rs 39,990 is almost unbeatable for an Apple device. But if you can stretch your budget just a bit, the iPhone 17 offers better long-term value.
Also read: Insta360 X4 Air vs X5: A New Lighter 8K 360 Camera Enters the Market
Conclusion
Croma’s Black Friday offer has made the iPhone 16 one of the most affordable premium smartphones in the market right now. The effective iPhone 16 price of Rs 39,990 makes it a compelling deal for anyone looking to upgrade without stepping into the Pro series. The device remains fast, reliable, and stylish — essential qualities for an everyday iPhone.
Still, for buyers prioritising future-proofing, improved cameras, and extended software support, the iPhone 17 may be a smarter investment at its slightly higher sale price.
Either way, Black Friday has arrived with some of the best Apple deals of the year — and both models are worth considering depending on your budget.
