Buyback-backed EMIs and subscriptions create annual smartphone upgrade paths in India

With Apple’s official annual upgrade programme absent in India, India iStore, Samsung and BytePe are offering alternatives through 24-month EMIs, assured buybacks and monthly subscriptions that let customers switch devices after roughly a year.

— Filed Thu, 30 Jul, 2026, 10:30 IST · Source Financial Express · BrandWagon · Updated

Apple’s official annual upgrade program is unavailable in India, but India iStore, Samsung and BytePe offer EMI, assured-buyback and subscription alternatives allowing consumers to upgrade smartphones annually or before a two-year financing term ends.

Why this matters

The signal follows iPhone-led export growth and reports that iPhone 18 Pro models could carry higher India prices, making lower-upfront-cost upgrade routes more relevant.

retail-brand signals are accelerating, up 92,025% QoQ.