Apple starts India festive sale with Rs 17,900 AirPods 5

Apple introduced a limited-edition AirPods 5 at Rs 17,900 in India on Oct. 12, Deccan Herald reported in a news article.

The promotion runs from Oct. 11 to Nov. 11, with up to Rs 15,000 in instant cashback, more than double the Rs 7,000 discount offered on selected iPhones.

It also includes no-cost EMI for as long as 12 months on selected products, plus trade-in benefits and subscription offers across iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watches and audio devices.

AirPods details

The limited AirPods 5 model is the wireless-charging version in snow white, with rangoli artwork and emoji engravings on the front. Apple is selling it through its online store, app and India stores.

The standard AirPods 5 with a wired charging port costs Rs 14,900, making the wireless model Rs 3,000 more expensive. The limited model will be available in restricted numbers, though no unit count was given.

Apple says the AirPods 5 bring Active Noise Cancellation, a system that reduces outside sound, to both regular models. The company says the open-ear ANC can remove as much as 50% more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC.

How it works

The AirPods 5 use multiport acoustic architecture from AirPods 3 Pro and next-generation Adaptive EQ, which adjusts sound output to the user's ear shape. Apple also includes Personalised Spatial Audio, its surround-style audio feature.

Battery life is listed at as much as five hours of listening with ANC on one charge, one hour more than AirPods 4 with ANC. With the case, Apple says listening time with ANC reaches 22 hours.

The wireless case works with Apple Watch chargers, Qi-compatible chargers and USB-C. The earbuds also support Siri AI 2.0, introduced with iOS 27, including hands-free responses, head-gesture controls and Live Translation in listed languages.

Discounts across devices

Apple is offering Rs 7,000 off iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo and iPhone Air. It is offering Rs 1,000 cashback on iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e through EMI plans with partner banks including American Express, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank.

Trade-in benefits can add as much as Rs 81,500 in extra cashback for an older device, if it works fully and has no physical damage. New iPhone buyers also receive three months of Apple Music, Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade.

MacBook Air models with 13-inch and 15-inch screens get Rs 10,000 cashback, while MacBook Pro models with 14-inch and 16-inch screens get Rs 15,000 cashback. Mac Studio, MacBook Neo, iMac and Mac mini discounts range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.

Apple's iPad discounts range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 on iPad Air, iPad, iPad mini and iPad Pro models. Apple Watch discounts range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 on Watch Series SE 3, Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4.

The report did not give Apple's expected sales, inventory allocation or financial effect from the India offers. The maximum benefits depend on product eligibility, bank financing, trade-in condition and whether the buyer qualifies for the selected subscription promotions.

What to watch

The festive offer period ends on Nov. 11. Separate Today at Apple sessions, including Draw Your Own Rangoli on iPad with Apple Pencil, run from Oct.

14 to Nov. 9 at stores in Mumbai, NCR, Bengaluru and Pune.