Both Amazon’s Great Indian Festival and Flipkart’s Big Billion Days start Sept 23 (Prime and Plus/Black get 24-hour early access). Expect 10% instant discounts (Amazon–SBI; Flipkart–Axis/ICICI), 10-minute deliveries via Flipkart Minutes in select cities, and GST cuts from Sept 22 that make big appliances and other goods cheaper.
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Why this year feels different
Two tailwinds collide: speed (10-minute festival deliveries, even for phones) and tax relief (GST overhauled from Sept 22). That combo can shave both time and money off big-ticket buys.
Sale dates & early access
- Amazon Great Indian Festival 2025: Starts Sept 23; Prime gets 24-hour early access.
- Flipkart Big Billion Days 2025: Also from Sept 23; Plus/Black get early access. Bank partners are Axis/ICICI (10%).
Amazon confirms SBI 10% instant discount on eligible categories/EMI, with caps and bonus offers during the window. Flipkart’s Axis/ICICI benefits are similar, with their own caps and exclusions. Always check the product page and payment screen before you hit pay.
What’s new: 10-minute delivery + instant exchange
Flipkart Minutes turns festival deals into near-instant gratification: 10-minute delivery, 24×7 during the event, across 19 cities and ~3,000 pin codes. Flipkart specifically calls out smartphones, electronics, grocery, and festive hampers as eligible categories.
There’s also a practical upgrade play: instant device exchange. Flipkart’s quick-commerce flow lets you trade in your old phone and receive the new one in under an hour—no courier waiting, no store visit. Great for day-one upgrades.
Reality check: Coverage matters. If your pin code isn’t in the Minutes network, expect standard shipping speeds.
Bank offers: what you can realistically save
- Amazon: SBI Credit/Debit 10% instant discount; caps vary by category; extra bonus offers on higher cart values.
- Flipkart: Axis/ICICI 10% instant discount; additional instant-discount slabs on select products.
Tip: EMI sometimes has a different cap than non-EMI. Add items to cart and test both options on the payment page to see which gives the higher net off.
GST cuts from Sept 22: how they affect festive pricing
India’s GST overhaul kicks in Sept 22, simplifying to 5% and 18% primary slabs (with a 40% de-merit rate for select luxury/sin items). Many categories drop a slab—example: several large appliances shift from 28% → 18%. Expect brands/retailers to reflect lower MRPs or pass benefits via extra discounts.
Early signs: retailer explainers and brand statements already reference lower effective prices around the rollout. Watch product pages for “post-GST” tags.
Headline smartphone deals to watch
- Google Pixel 9: Listed at ₹34,999* on Flipkart (Early Access from Sept 22). *Effective price depends on bank/stock.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Reports show prices as low as ~₹71,999 during the sale window.
- Apple iPhone: Mixed, but you’ll see iPhone 15 near ₹45,249 on Amazon; iPhone 16 in the low-50k bracket on Flipkart with stacked bank offers. Availability will swing.
Note: These are live-sale prices-expect fast changes, color/storage variance, extra exchange credits, and city-specific flash drops.
Amazon vs Flipkart: which is better for you?
| Buyer profile | Pick Amazon if… | Pick Flipkart if… |
|---|---|---|
| You hold SBI cards | Best 10% terms and periodic bonus slabs. | Axis/ICICI may still be fine, but SBI benefits are on Amazon. |
| You want 10-minute delivery | Standard speeds; some same-day in metros. | Flipkart Minutes runs 10-minute, 24×7, in 19 cities / ~3,000 pin codes. |
| Instant exchange matters | Normal pickup timelines. | Under-an-hour phone exchange via Minutes. |
| You chase iPhone/Apple drops | Amazon frequently leads on iPhone price floors. | Watch Flipkart for aggressive Android + Pixel pricing. |
| You buy large appliances | Benefit from GST drop + bank caps. | Often deeper exchange/JD credits; check delivery/installation windows. |
How to stack savings (works on both sites)
- Clip coupons on the product page (if any).
- Apply the right bank (SBI on Amazon; Axis/ICICI on Flipkart). Check EMI vs non-EMI caps.
- Add exchange (phone/TV/laptop) and confirm the final pickup/approval flow; with Flipkart Minutes you may finish the upgrade in under an hour.
- Watch quick-commerce slots in eligible cities for 10-minute fulfillment.
- Re-check totals at payment. Sometimes moving ₹2–3k between items hits a higher bonus slab on SBI (Amazon) or extra instant discount on Flipkart.
Mini case studies
Case 1 (Metro, Bangalore): You want a Pixel 9 fast. Early-access price shows ₹34,999*. You apply Axis 10% on Flipkart, schedule Minutes delivery, and add a small exchange for extra credit. Phone lands before your next meeting.
Case 2 (Tier-2, Jaipur): Upgrading to a 1.5-ton inverter AC. Thanks to GST 28% → 18%, MRPs/discounts look better than July. You compare both platforms, but Flipkart has a deeper exchange + ICICI cap that beats Amazon’s SBI by ~₹1,500 in your cart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When do the sales start?
Both start Sept 23; Prime (Amazon) and Plus/Black (Flipkart) get a 24-hour head-start.
Is 10-minute delivery real for phones?
Flipkart Minutes says yes in 19 cities/3,000 pin codes, 24×7 during the event; inventory and slot availability apply.
Can I exchange and still get bank discounts?
Usually yes; the instant discount is calculated on the payable amount after exchange is applied. Caps/EMI rules still apply. Check the payment page before confirming.
Do GST cuts show up as lower MRP instantly?
From Sept 22, many categories move to lower slabs; brands/retailers typically pass on the benefit via new MRPs or extra discounts. Watch for “post-GST” labels.
Lowest Galaxy S24 Ultra price?
We’re seeing as low as ~₹71,999 in previews. Live price can change by storage/color and bank combo.
Pixel 9 ₹34,999-any catches?
Flipkart lists ₹34,999* with early access from Sept 22; bank terms, exchange credits, and stock constraints apply.
Featured Answer boxes
When do Flipkart and Amazon festive sales start in 2025?
Both go live Sept 23, 2025. Amazon Prime and Flipkart Plus/Black members get 24-hour early access. Expect 10% bank offers (SBI on Amazon; Axis/ICICI on Flipkart) with caps and EMI rules.
Does Flipkart really deliver phones in 10 minutes?
Yes Flipkart Minutes promises 10-minute delivery, 24×7, during Big Billion Days across 19 cities and ~3,000 pin codes, subject to stock/slots.
Will GST cuts lower prices this week?
From Sept 22, GST slabs simplify and many goods drop rates (for example, several appliances from 28% → 18%). Expect brands/retailers to reflect the benefit via MRPs or extra discounts.
What’s the best mobile deal to track?
Watch Pixel 9 at ₹34,999* on Flipkart (EA Sept 22), S24 Ultra around ₹71,999, and iPhone 15 near ₹45,249 on Amazon finals vary by bank/stock.
Glossary
- Quick commerce: dark-store fulfillment for ultra-fast delivery.
- Instant discount vs cashback: instant reduces payable now; cashback credits later.
- ITC (GST): input tax credit impacts merchant pricing but not directly shown to you.
Source: Amazon India
