For the first time since its launch, the MacBook Air M4 is selling in India for less than half its original price — Rs 55,911 — thanks to a rare, stacked discount combo at Croma during its Black Friday Sale 2025. The deal, confirmed across multiple Indian tech outlets on November 27, 2025, isn’t just a sale. It’s a perfect storm of student discounts, bank cashbacks, and trade-in bonuses that together slash the price from Rs 99,900 to a jaw-dropping Rs 55,911. And yes — you need all of them to get there.
How the Rs 55,911 Price Actually Works
The math isn’t magic. It’s layered. First, Pranav Sawant, author of Croma’s official Croma Unboxed blog, laid out the breakdown: students and teachers get Apple’s educational discount, bringing the price down to Rs 88,911. That’s already a Rs 10,989 saving. Then comes Croma’s part: a flat Rs 10,000 cashback on select bank cards — no fine print about minimum spends, just direct deduction. Add to that an exchange offer of up to Rs 13,000 for your old laptop, depending on its model and condition. And here’s the kicker: Croma throws in an extra Rs 10,000 exchange bonus — on top of the trade-in value — if you upgrade to the M4. That’s not common. Most retailers count trade-in as part of the discount. Croma treats it as a bonus. Add it all up: 88,911 minus 10,000 minus 13,000 minus 10,000? That’s Rs 55,911. Moneycontrol and The Economic Times rounded it to Rs 55,900. Close enough.What You’re Actually Getting
For under Rs 56,000, you’re not just getting a laptop. You’re getting Apple’s most refined entry-level machine yet. The MacBook Air M4 sports a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display — sharp, bright, and color-accurate. No fan. No noise. Just silent, buttery performance whether you’re editing 4K photos, juggling 20 Chrome tabs, or streaming in the background. The M4 chip, built on 3nm architecture, handles everything without breaking a sweat. It’s got a 12MP Center Stage camera for video calls, MagSafe charging (finally, Apple brought it back), and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. The aluminum body? Still light enough to carry on a commute without thinking about it. This isn’t a budget laptop. It’s a premium device at a budget price.Why This Deal Is Unprecedented
Apple rarely lets its products drop below 70% of MSRP in India. Even during Diwali or Amazon’s Big Billion Days, the M1 MacBook Air hovered around Rs 70,000. The M4 launched at Rs 99,900 — a premium for an entry-level model. But Croma, India’s third-largest electronics retailer, is playing a long game. They’re not just clearing stock. They’re grabbing market share. With the iPhone 17 also listed at Rs 45,900 in the same sale, it’s clear this isn’t a one-off promotion. It’s a strategic push to lure Apple loyalists who’ve been waiting for a price break. The Economic Times called it a “50% discount.” Technically, it’s closer to 44%, but when you’re saving over Rs 44,000, semantics don’t matter. What matters is that this is the lowest price the M4 has ever seen in India — and it might be the lowest it ever gets.Who Can Get It — And Who Can’t
Here’s the catch: you need to be a student or teacher with valid ID to unlock the base discount. No student ID? Then you miss out on the Rs 10,989 savings — and the final price shoots up to around Rs 66,900 even with cashback and trade-in. That’s still a good deal, but not a steal. The bank cashback? Only works with select cards — likely HDFC, ICICI, Axis, or SBI, though none were named. The exchange value? Depends on your old laptop. A 2020 MacBook Air might get you Rs 10,000. A 2018 model? Maybe Rs 6,000. And you can’t combine this with other Croma vouchers. It’s one deal, one path. But if you’re eligible? This is the moment.
What Comes Next
The sale is ongoing as of November 27, 2025, with no announced end date. But history says these deals don’t last. Last year’s Black Friday MacBook discounts vanished within 72 hours. Inventory is limited. Croma’s website shows only a few units per configuration in stock. And with Apple’s next-generation chip rumored for early 2026, this might be the last chance to grab the M4 at this price. Retailers won’t discount a new model this aggressively right after launch. So if you’ve been waiting — now’s the time.Why This Matters Beyond the Price Tag
This isn’t just about saving money. It’s about accessibility. Apple has long been seen as a luxury brand in India — expensive, exclusive. But with this deal, Croma is making a premium, professional-grade laptop reachable for college students, freelancers, and young professionals. For the first time, someone earning Rs 40,000 a month can realistically afford a device that outperforms most Windows laptops costing twice as much. That’s a cultural shift. And it’s not just Apple. Samsung, Dell, and HP will have to respond. The bar just moved.Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a student to get the Rs 55,911 price?
Yes. The base discount of Rs 10,989 — bringing the price from Rs 99,900 to Rs 88,911 — requires valid student or teacher identification from an accredited institution. Without it, you can’t access the full stack of discounts needed to hit Rs 55,911. You’ll still get the bank cashback and trade-in, but your final price will be closer to Rs 66,900.
Which banks qualify for the Rs 10,000 cashback?
Croma hasn’t publicly listed qualifying banks, but based on past sales, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, SBI, and Kotak are likely candidates. The cashback is applied at checkout when you pay with a registered card. It’s not a coupon — it’s automatic. If you don’t see the discount, try a different card or contact Croma support before finalizing your order.
Can I trade in any laptop for the Rs 13,000 value?
No. The Rs 13,000 is the maximum for recent, well-maintained Apple devices — like a 2022 or 2023 MacBook Air or Pro. Older models, damaged units, or non-Apple laptops (even high-end Windows machines) may only fetch Rs 4,000–8,000. Croma evaluates devices in-store or via photo upload. Don’t assume your old laptop is worth the top amount — check their online trade-in calculator first.
Is the M4 chip really that much better than the M2?
Yes — especially for future-proofing. The M4’s 3nm chip is 35% faster in CPU tasks and 60% faster in graphics than the M2. It handles AI features in macOS Sequoia, like Live Captions and advanced photo editing, far more efficiently. If you plan to use this laptop for more than two years, the M4’s performance headroom makes it worth the extra cost — even if you’re buying it at a discount.
Will Apple match this discount if I buy directly from them?
Almost certainly not. Apple’s own educational pricing is fixed at Rs 88,911. They don’t offer cashback, exchange bonuses, or third-party promotions. This deal only exists because Croma is absorbing the cost to drive foot traffic and cross-sell other products. Buying directly from Apple means paying full educational price — no stacking allowed.
Is this deal available online or only in stores?
Both. The full discount stack applies on Croma’s website and in physical stores across India. But online orders have priority on limited stock. If you’re planning to visit a store, call ahead — inventory is thin, and some locations may have sold out of the M4 configuration by the time you arrive.
