iPhone 15 is selling for less than Rs 50,000, should you buy it in 2026?

Getting an iPhone is not just about buying a new phone. For many, it’s an experience, often the first step into the Apple ecosystem. However, flagship iPhones — right now the iPhone 17 series — come at a premium price, even though they offer the best features. And this often brings in hesitation for buyers on a tighter budget. For such users, picking up an older-generation iPhone becomes quite appealing, especially during sale periods. If you’re currently scanning iPhone deals, you might want to take a closer look at the ongoing offer on the iPhone 15 as part of Vijay Sales’ Apple Days sale.

As part of the sale, the iPhone 15 (128GB) is currently listed at around Rs 56,900, down from its original Rs 59,900 price tag. On top of that, buyers using Axis, ICICI or SBI bank cards can get an instant discount of up to Rs 2,000, bringing the price down to roughly Rs 54,900.

But wait, you can save more. If you’re upgrading from an older smartphone, you can also take advantage of exchange offers. Vijay Sales is offering an exchange bonus of up to Rs 10,000, over and above the value of your old phone. In ideal cases, where your device fetches a good resale value, the effective price of the iPhone 15 can drop below Rs 50,000, and even closer to Rs 35,000 in some scenarios.

Getting an iPhone that originally launched at around Rs 79,900 for nearly half the price doesn’t sound bad at all, right? And fairly so. However, it is now a two-generation-old device, so the real question is, does it still make sense in 2026?

Is the iPhone 15 still worth it?

The answer depends on what you’re looking for.

For most users, it still ticks the right boxes. It was the first standard iPhone to introduce USB-C and the Dynamic Island, both of which are now standard across newer iPhones. So, in terms of design and usability, it doesn’t feel that old.

The camera system also holds up well. The 48-megapixel main sensor, paired with a 2x optical-quality zoom, is still capable and continues to deliver sharp, reliable photos and stable video. For everyday photography including your social media posts, travel, or casual use, it still competes comfortably with newer devices.

Performance is another strong point. Powered by the A16 Bionic chip, the iPhone 15 can handle daily tasks like messaging, payments, streaming and even light gaming without any problem. It’s not the fastest chip anymore, but it remains more than capable for most users. Plus, with Apple’s typical software support cycle, the device is expected to receive iOS updates until at least 2029 or 2030, which adds long-term value.

That said, it’s not the perfect iPhone for everyone.

If you care about the latest features, especially AI, the iPhone 15 may feel limited. It does not support Apple Intelligence features, which are restricted to newer models like the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 and beyond. So, if on-device AI tools are a priority, this isn’t the device to pick.

There are also some hardware compromises. The display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels less smooth compared to the 120Hz panels on Pro models and newer iPhones.

So, should you buy it?

If you’re looking for a reliable iPhone at a significantly lower price, the iPhone 15 makes a lot of sense in 2026. It is still capable of delivering strong performance, a great camera, and long software support, especially at sub-Rs 50,000 pricing. In fact, it remains a strong choice compared to many Android alternatives in this range.

However, if you want the latest AI features, smoother displays, or a more future-proof experience, it might be worth stretching your budget for a newer model. The ongoing Vijay Sales sale also includes offers on the iPhone 16 and newer-generation devices, which may be worth considering.