TechPulse

iPhone 16 Pro Price Drops Below Rs 70,000 in Flipkart’s End of Season Sale


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Flipkart’s End of Season Sale, running from December 12 to 21, is offering significant discounts across a range of electronic products, with Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro emerging as one of the standout deals. Through a combination of bank offers and exchange benefits, buyers can purchase the premium smartphone for an effective price below Rs 70,000.

During the sale period, the iPhone 16 Pro with 128GB storage is listed at Rs 1,09,900 on Flipkart. Customers using a Flipkart Axis Bank credit card are eligible for an instant discount of Rs 4,000. In addition, the platform offers an exchange benefit based on the user’s old device, its condition and pincode eligibility, with the maximum exchange value going up to Rs 68,050. When both offers are applied, the effective purchase price drops well below the Rs 70,000 mark.

Although it is not Apple’s newest model, the iPhone 16 Pro remains a compelling option in 2025 thanks to its flagship-grade performance, premium build quality and long-term software support. The device features a titanium frame, textured matte glass back and Ceramic Shield protection on the front, and is available in Black, White, Natural and Desert Titanium finishes.

The smartphone sports a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz adaptive ProMotion refresh rate, HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, and up to 2,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness. Powering the device is Apple’s A18 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, delivering smooth performance for gaming, photography and everyday tasks. Apple Intelligence features integrated into iOS further enhance productivity and creativity while maintaining a strong focus on on-device privacy.

Camera performance remains one of the iPhone 16 Pro’s key strengths. The device features a quad-camera system comprising a 48MP main sensor with advanced sensor-shift stabilisation, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, a 12MP 5x telephoto lens with tetraprism technology and a 12MP 2x telephoto option. It supports up to 25x digital zoom, 4K Dolby Vision video recording, ProRes recording up to 4K at 120fps, Log video and Spatial Video capture. The 12MP front camera supports 4K video, Night mode and enhanced portrait features.

In terms of connectivity and durability, the iPhone 16 Pro supports 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. It includes a USB-C port with DisplayPort support and offers IP68 water and dust resistance, along with Face ID, Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection. For buyers willing to use exchange and bank offers, Flipkart’s End of Season Sale presents an opportunity to own a high-end iPhone at a significantly reduced price.

TechPulse

Apple to Launch Digital Passports in Wallet App by End of 2025


Apple is gearing up to make your iPhone even more essential to everyday life. By the end of 2025, the tech giant plans to introduce digital passports within its Wallet app, allowing users to verify their identity at select TSA checkpoints across the United States. This development marks a significant move toward mainstream digital identity and a shift away from traditional, physical documents — at least for domestic travel.

The concept is both simple and revolutionary: instead of reaching for a physical passport or ID, travelers will be able to present their verified credentials directly from their iPhones. The system will rely on Apple’s established model of encrypted data storage and biometric authentication, such as Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that only the device owner can access or use their digital credentials.

This rollout won’t replace physical passports for international travel anytime soon, and Apple has made it clear this is a step forward, not a complete leap. However, the implications are wide-reaching. As digital wallets expand their capabilities, identity is becoming a more deeply integrated part of our digital ecosystem — just like how payments have shifted from cash to tap-and-go.

Apple’s move also aligns with broader trends in global tech and governance. Several U.S. states have already introduced digital driver’s licenses, and governments worldwide are experimenting with mobile forms of official ID. Apple is simply extending this trajectory — leveraging its security infrastructure to bring trust and convenience into one of the most sensitive parts of life: identity verification.

As with most Apple features, the digital passport experience is expected to be smooth, intuitive, and deeply embedded into the iOS ecosystem. Once active, users will be able to add their passport to Wallet just like a boarding pass or credit card — streamlining their airport journey while reinforcing privacy through strict data controls.

While this won’t change how you travel internationally just yet, it’s a strong signal of what’s to come: a world where your smartphone might carry not just your money, keys, and tickets — but your very citizenship. The passport, long a symbol of national identity, could soon live in your pocket — protected by silicon and secured with your face.

TechPulse

Croma Announces Exciting Offers on iPhone 17 Across Stores, TRiBE, Croma.com, and Tata Neu


Croma, India’s leading omni-channel electronics retailer under the Tata Group, has announced an exciting line-up of offers on the new iPhone 17 range, available across its extensive network of over 560 stores, TRiBE by Croma outlets, online at Croma.com, and on the Tata Neu app. The special launch campaign runs from 19 to 27 September with extended offers through 26 October and select benefits continuing thereafter, delivering exceptional value to customers nationwide.

Customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 can explore the entire Apple portfolio at Croma’s dedicated Apple-authorised reseller, TRiBE by Croma, which offers a premium shopping experience with trained specialists to assist with product selection and setup. The campaign features an exchange bonus of up to ₹12,000, allowing customers to trade in their existing devices for greater savings. Additionally, purchases made with the Tata Neu HDFC Card can earn up to 10% NeuCoins, further enhancing the rewards.

No-cost EMI options are available on eligible iPhone 17 models across all channels, making it easier for customers to own the latest Apple technology without upfront financial strain. As a special highlight during the launch sale window, customers can also avail up to 20% discount on select Apple accessories, perfect for complementing their new iPhone with cases, chargers, and audio devices.

A spokesperson from Infiniti Retail Ltd., which operates Croma, emphasized that the brand strives to provide customers with a dependable and valuable iPhone buying experience every year. With transparent finance options, expert guidance, and assured accessories, Croma simplifies the upgrade journey across all its channels, allowing customers to choose the iPhone that suits them best while unlocking meaningful savings and rewards.

This campaign underscores Croma’s commitment to delivering a seamless and omnichannel shopping experience, integrating its physical stores, e-commerce platform, and the Tata Neu ecosystem to serve customers across over 206 cities. As one of India’s foremost consumer electronics retailers, Croma continues to expand its footprint, especially in suburban and tier-2 and tier-3 cities, offering world-class ambience and services both online and offline.

Customers are encouraged to visit Croma stores, TRiBE outlets, Croma.com, or the Tata Neu app for the latest details, terms, and conditions. Offers are time-bound and subject to eligibility, product availability, and device valuation. NeuCoin issuance and redemption follow Tata Neu’s program rules, and finance offers including no-cost EMI depend on bank terms and conditions.

TechPulse

iOS 26 Rolls Out Today: Here’s What’s New with Apple’s Biggest Update Since iOS 7


Apple officially begins rolling out the iOS 26 update today, September 15, across compatible devices. Touted as the biggest design revamp since iOS 7, the update brings sweeping changes with the all-new Liquid Glass UI, redesigned app experiences, and smarter Apple Intelligence features for select models.

The update is available for iPhone 11 and later, meaning users with devices launched in 2019 or beyond will receive the new version. However, not all features will be universal. Apple’s new intelligence layer — featuring Visual Intelligence, call screening, Live Translation, and intelligent summarisation — is limited to iPhone 15 Pro and later due to the hardware requirements.

With Liquid Glass UI, Apple brings a translucent, glass-like aesthetic across the OS. Expect refreshed app icons, a modernised Control Centre, and redesigned interfaces for first-party apps. The Lock Screen also receives a 3D visual boost with spatial image wallpapers and added customisation.

First-party apps like Messages, Camera, and Photos have been overhauled — offering new background themes, intuitive layouts, and better content organisation. The Camera app sees UI tweaks for quicker access to modes, while the Photos app now curates memories more seamlessly.

Before installing iOS 26, Apple strongly recommends users back up their devices to iCloud or Google Cloud to safeguard against any installation issues or data loss. This is especially important given the scale of the UI overhaul and new features, which could lead to initial bugs or compatibility hiccups.

If you’re wondering about compatibility, Apple confirmed during WWDC 2025 that only iPhone 11 and newer models would support iOS 26. Devices like iPhone X, XR, and earlier will not receive this update.

As users begin to experience the refreshed interface and smarter features, iOS 26 signals a major shift not just in how iPhones look — but how intelligently they function. Whether you’re most excited about the visual upgrades or the AI-driven tools, this update sets the tone for Apple’s next era of mobile innovation.

Make sure your device is charged, backed up, and ready to experience the future — because iOS 26 is here.

TechPulse

Samsung Replaces Apple as the Number One Brand in India’s Premium Smartphone Market in Q2 2025


In a significant market shift, Samsung has overtaken Apple to become the number one brand in India’s premium smartphone segment during the second quarter of 2025. According to industry trackers, Samsung’s strong performance was fueled by the popularity of its flagship Galaxy S24 series, which resonated with Indian consumers for its cutting-edge features, AI capabilities, and competitive pricing.

The premium smartphone market, defined as devices priced above ₹30,000, has long been dominated by Apple, thanks to its aspirational iPhone lineup. However, Samsung’s focus on innovation, aggressive marketing, and wider availability across offline and online channels gave it the edge this quarter.

Experts highlight that Apple’s market share faced pressure due to limited availability of the iPhone 15 series and anticipation for the upcoming iPhone 16 launch later this year. Meanwhile, Samsung capitalized on the gap, recording impressive sales across metros and Tier-1 cities.

Industry analysts believe this shift indicates the growing competition in India’s high-end smartphone category, with brands like OnePlus and Vivo also strengthening their premium offerings.

As the festive season approaches, the battle between Samsung and Apple is expected to intensify, making the Indian premium smartphone market one to watch closely.