Royal Enfield vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: GST 2.0 (effective 22 Sep 2025) helps make many consumer goods cheaper, but smartphones were explicitly kept at 18%, while several higher-GST two-wheelers have been moved into the 18% slab, which means premium bikes like some Royal Enfield models just became noticeably cheaper, while iPhone prices stayed essentially the same on the GST front.
Below, I break this down like a human who rides, upgrades phones, and reads tax notes late at night clear examples, numbers, and a practical conclusion so you can decide which is the “better deal” for your pocket and priorities.
Table of Contents
Enfield: What is GST 2.0 and why does it matter here
GST 2.0 simplified India’s multiple GST slabs into a small set (primarily 5% and 18%, plus a high 40% for sin/luxury goods) and shifted many items from 28% or 12% into the lower slabs. The result: lots of appliances and many vehicles got tax relief. The government’s official note and mainstream coverage make this clear.
- Smartphones (including iPhones) remain in the 18% slab under GST 2.0 — so no GST-related price drop for iPhones.
- Many two-wheelers that were earlier taxed at higher slabs have moved to the 18% slab — this reduces final on-road prices for affected bikes. Reports list specific models/brands that benefit.
Price Reality Check
I’ll show concrete published prices and then a simple worked example that shows the change in pocket impact.
Published/official prices
- iPhone 17 Pro Max — Apple / Indian retail listings show the starting price for Pro Max (256GB base on many sites) at ₹1,49,900 (MRP/launch); GST at 18% applies on top (so GST portion ≈ ₹26,982). That gives a total-buy figure ~ ₹1,76,882 before retailer offers/trade-ins.
- Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 (example Royal Enfield model) — Royal Enfield’s India site lists “starts from ₹3.32 Lakh (GST 2.0)” for the Interceptor 650 (this is the updated listing reflecting GST 2.0 pricing).
Comparison Table
| Comparison factor | Royal Enfield (example: Interceptor 650) | iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB base) |
|---|---|---|
| Published base/starting price (India) | ₹3,32,000 (listed on Royal Enfield site, GST 2.0 price). | ₹1,49,900 (Apple / India launch/retail listings). |
| GST slab under GST 2.0 | 18% (many 2-wheelers moved from higher slab to 18% causing price drop). | 18% — unchanged under GST 2.0 (smartphones kept at 18%). |
| Approx. tax saving vs previous slab (illustrative) | ≈ ₹28k saved on a bike that would previously have been taxed at 28% (based on reverse calculation from new listed price). Your saving depends on model/base price. (Worked example above.) | ₹0 tax saving from GST changes (phones kept at 18%). You still pay the full 18% GST. |
| What you get (utility) | Physical transport, travel freedom, weekend rides, higher registration/insurance costs, fuel & maintenance. Longer-term resale can be decent for sought-after models. | Pocket computer: calls, camera, apps, payments, Apple ecosystem. Rapid obsolescence vs phone vs bike longevity differ. |
| Resale / depreciation quick view | Bikes hold brand value; certain Royal Enfields keep ~40–60% of value after 3–4 years (varies by model & condition). | High-end iPhones hold resale value well for phones, but tech obsolescence and new models reduce price over time — typical 3–4 year depreciation to ~30–50% depending on storage and condition. |
| Upfront affordability (EMI example) | EMI on ₹3.32L (with a 20% down payment) will be higher — but effective EMI drop after GST 2.0 matters (savings reflected). | EMI on ₹1.49L base (plus GST) is lower nominally, but no GST relief. |
| Best for | Someone who wants transport & lifestyle / weekend experiences; tax cut makes it more accessible. | Someone who values mobile tech, camera, ecosystem and portability; GST 2.0 does not lower cost. |
Conclusion
- Buy Royal Enfield if: you value mobility, experiences, long-term ownership, and you wanted a bike anyway — GST 2.0 just made some models measurably cheaper (e.g., the Interceptor example showed ~₹28k approximate saving). If the bike was on your wishlist, this is a better financial moment to buy.
- Buy iPhone 17 Pro Max if: you need the phone’s capabilities today (camera, ecosystem, performance), trade-in value matters to you, or you’ll extract heavy daily productivity/camera use value. But don’t expect GST 2.0 to help — phones stayed at 18%, so any price advantage must come from deals, trade-ins, EMI offers or accepting a slightly older model for a lower price.
Bhakti Rawat is a Founder & Writer of InsureMyCar360.com. This site Provides You with Information Related To the Best Auto Insurance Updates & comparisons. 🔗