iPhone 17 Pro price shock—Does Rs 1.34L Cosmic Orange justify hype?

Apple has introduced the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in a new “Cosmic Orange” edition, a colour option limited to the premium models in its latest lineup.

The newly launched variant has sparked wide discussion in India, where many users have compared the tone to saffron, a shade closely tied to religion, culture and national identity. Several social media posts drew direct parallels, with one user noting, “Cosmic Orange is basically our saffron,” while others highlighted its release ahead of the festive season.

The iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900 for the 256GB model, rising to Rs 1,74,900 for 1TB storage. The larger iPhone 17 Pro Max is listed from Rs 1,49,900 for 256GB and goes up to Rs 2,29,900 for the 2TB version.

Apple’s wider iPhone 17 series includes the standard iPhone 17, priced from Rs 82,900, and the entry-level iPhone 17e starting at Rs 64,990. The company has also retained the iPhone 16E, which is available at a discounted Rs 51,499.

In India, saffron carries meanings of sacrifice, power and spirituality. The similarity between Apple’s Cosmic Orange and this symbolic hue has amplified attention around the launch. Some online responses praised the move as culturally relevant, while others dismissed the shade as unappealing. One critical post read, “the worst in iPhone history,” contrasted by another declaring, “this could win upgrade season.”

Orange tones have been trending in global fashion and design, making Apple’s decision to bring the colour to its flagship series appear aligned with broader consumer tastes. The company’s Pro editions typically feature conservative finishes such as silver, black, or deep blue. By adding Cosmic Orange, Apple is stepping into a bolder design territory that could attract new buyers in markets such as India.