MUMBAI: Why buy when you can subscribe? Bytepe, India’s first tech subscription platform, is reprogramming the way Indians think about smartphone ownership, with a model that swaps EMIs for easy monthly subscriptions and outdated devices for yearly upgrades.
Founded by serial entrepreneur Jayant Jha, the former Flipkart leader who co-founded and sold Yaantra to Flipkart, Bytepe promises to make premium smartphones, including the latest iphone 17 series, more accessible, affordable, and flexible than ever before.
“With Bytepe, we’re democratising luxury,” said Jha. “After years of watching consumers get locked into long EMIs and old devices, we wanted to create a model that’s lighter on the wallet, better for the planet, and puts control back in the user’s hands.”
The concept is refreshingly simple: pick your phone, pay a monthly subscription that’s lower than traditional EMIs, enjoy 100 per cent damage protection, and upgrade every year, no hidden costs, no long-term lock-ins. Bytepe also offers its own Bytepe EMI for non-credit card users, ensuring access for all.
For instance, the new iphone 17 (256 gb), priced at Rs 82,900, can be subscribed to for a fraction of that monthly, with the option to upgrade, return, or own it outright after 12 months. For those who prefer to pay upfront, Bytepe offers 50 per cent assured buyback after 12 or 24 months, plus full insurance coverage.
Starting with smartphones, Bytepe plans to expand into other tech categories including electronics and accessories, creating what Jha calls “a smarter, circular economy of ownership.”
In a market where affordability often comes at the cost of flexibility, Bytepe is offering something refreshingly new: the freedom to stay up to date, without being tied down.
