Apple’s recent price hike has created a gap between official rates and listings on Amazon, Flipkart, and other platforms, raising concerns of potential scams. Some third-party sellers are reportedly delivering pre-activated or refurbished devices sold as new, which may reduce warranty validity and after-sales support for buyers.

Apple has hiked prices across its product lineup in India and globally, but the revised rates have not been uniformly reflected on third-party marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, and Vijay Sales. While the updated prices are live on Apple's official website, several offline and online vendors continue listing devices at older rates, and industry watchers warn this gap is being exploited by some sellers to scam buyers.

The pre-activation trick

Apple operates official stores on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, but these marketplaces also host numerous independent third-party sellers alongside Apple's authorised listings. While most are legitimate, some sellers have been found sending pre-activated devices to buyers who order what is listed as a new product. Since the device has already been activated before it reaches the customer, the warranty period may have effectively started before the box is even opened, eating into the coverage window.

Beyond pre-activation, buyers have, in the past, also reported receiving refurbished units, opened boxes, replacement devices, or products missing accessories, despite having ordered a brand-new item, a pattern that observers say could become more common now that official prices have risen sharply.