₹ iPhone vs Index Fund
What if you invested your iPhone upgrade money in Nifty 50 instead? See the shocking opportunity cost of being an Apple fan!
₹ Your iPhone Timeline
₹ What Could You Have Bought Instead?
📖 How to Use iPhone vs Index Calculator
- Time Horizon: Enter how many years you plan to track (default: 10 years)
- Average iPhone Price: Set typical price you pay per iPhone (₹80K-₹1.5L range)
- Upgrade Frequency: How often you buy a new iPhone (1-4 years)
- Review Results: See total iPhone spending vs. if that money was invested in Nifty 50
- Opportunity Cost: Understand the wealth difference between consumption and investment
₹ Why Apple Fans Should See This Calculator
Every September, Apple launches a new iPhone and millions of Indians queue up (virtually) to upgrade. But have you ever calculated the true cost of being in the "latest iPhone club"?
This calculator reveals a sobering truth: the opportunity cost of frequent iPhone upgrades. If you're spending ₹1 lakh every 2 years on new iPhones, that's ₹5 lakhs over 10 years. But if you had invested that money in a Nifty 50 index fund instead, you'd have approximately ₹9.3 lakhs (assuming 12% annual returns).
That's an opportunity cost of ₹4.3 lakhs—enough for a down payment on a home or funding your child's higher education. We're not saying don't buy iPhones—we're saying understand the trade-offs. Maybe buying every second generation (iPhone 13 → iPhone 15 → iPhone 17) instead of every year makes financial sense while still enjoying premium technology.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is this calculator anti-Apple or anti-iPhone?
Not at all! iPhones are excellent devices with superior build quality, ecosystem integration, and resale value. This calculator simply helps you understand the opportunity cost—what else that money could become if invested. Many people upgrade annually without realizing they're spending 8-10 lakhs over a decade on phones alone.
Why compare to Nifty 50 specifically?
The Nifty 50 index represents India's top 50 companies by market capitalization. Historically, it has delivered ~12-14% annual returns over long periods. It's a widely available, low-cost investment option through index funds and ETFs. We use it as a benchmark for "what if you invested instead of spent."
What if I sell my old iPhone? Doesn't that reduce the cost?
Great point! iPhones have excellent resale value (40-60% after 2 years). If you factor in resale, your net spending is lower. However, the calculator shows gross spending to illustrate total capital deployment. You can mentally adjust: if you spend ₹1L but sell old phone for ₹40K, your net spend is ₹60K—still a significant opportunity cost over years.
How accurate are the investment returns assumed?
The calculator uses 12% annual returns, which is the approximate historical average for Nifty 50 over 15-20 year periods. Some years are higher (20%+), some lower (negative in bad years). The 12% figure is a reasonable long-term average, but past performance doesn't guarantee future returns.
What's a reasonable iPhone upgrade frequency?
Financially optimal? 3-4 years. Apple provides 5-6 years of iOS updates, so an iPhone bought today remains functional and secure until 2029-30. Upgrading every 3-4 years balances enjoying new technology with minimizing opportunity cost. Annual upgrades are a luxury with steep financial implications.