iPhone 18 Pro launch draws long queues, eager buyers across India

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale in India on Friday, drawing long queues and enthusiastic buyers across major cities. Customers turned up early at Apple stores, with some waiting for hours to secure the new devices

New Delhi: Apple fandom was on full display across India on Friday as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale, drawing enthusiastic crowds eager to be among the first to get their hands on the new devices.

The launch-day excitement was palpable at Apple stores, with fans turning up early and celebrating the arrival of the latest offerings from the Cupertino, California-headquartered tech giant.

---

The India sales debut came days after Apple unveiled its latest smartphone lineup, with the new models bringing upgrades in performance, cameras, battery life and AI capabilities. Apple said the two models went on sale in India on September 18, following pre-orders that began on September 12.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are priced from Rs 1,64,900 and Rs 1,79,900, respectively. The two models are available in black, silver, glacier and burgundy.

A customer at the Delhi store said he had booked the iPhone 18 Pro Max along with an Apple Watch as he was looking to upgrade from his iPhone 15 Plus.

“I wanted to upgrade from the 15 Plus, and the new model comes with several upgraded features and better performance. That was the main reason I decided to go for it,” he said.

Delhi customer Mannat Singh said he was drawn to the iPhone 18 Pro Max for its burgundy colour, upgraded A20 chip, AI capabilities and camera features, adding that Apple’s brand appeal was also a big factor.

“…it is quite good for showing off because it has three cameras, and on top of that, of course, Apple is a big brand,” he said.

Delhi customer Honey said he had been eagerly waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro since its launch, pre-booking the 512GB burgundy model as soon as bookings opened and securing the first available 8:15 am slot.

“I bought the iPhone 18 Pro with 512GB of storage in the burgundy colour. It was launched on the 9th of this month, so I had been waiting for it since then. The pre-booking started on September 12 at 5:30 in the evening, so I pre-booked it at that time. The very first slot was at 8:15, and I booked that slot. And now I have finally bought it,” he said.

Similar scenes unfolded at other Apple stores across the country.

“I’ve got the first phone. I’m really excited. My goal was to get the first one; I’d been waiting here for about 10 to 12 hours for this. Finally, the first phone is in my hands. I’m absolutely thrilled about it,” said an Apple fan outside the company’s store at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

He had travelled from Surat in the hope of being among the first to get his hands on the new iPhone, camping outside the store hours ahead of its opening to secure an early spot in the queue. His long wait ended as the doors opened to loud cheers from Apple staff.

From Mumbai and Delhi to Bengaluru and Noida, eager buyers turned up well before the stores opened. Long queues and excited chatter marked the first morning of sales as customers waited for their turn to walk away with the new devices. Similar queues were reported at Apple stores in several Indian cities.

For many in the queues, the occasion appeared to be about more than simply upgrading a smartphone. The thrill of being among the first to own the newest iPhone was palpable, with anticipation, countdowns and cheers accompanying the store openings.

The excitement also spilled online, with pictures and videos of queues, early-morning crowds and first buyers circulating on social media. The launch also triggered memes and banter over the premium price tags.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB storage capacities. The Pro models are powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip and feature upgraded camera systems, along with improvements in display, performance and battery life.

The pre-booking of the iPhone 18 Pro series began on September 12 across more than 65 countries and regions, including India.

The launch comes ahead of India’s crucial festive shopping season, a period when smartphone makers typically scale up promotions, financing offers and new-device availability to tap consumer demand.

Apple has also entered the foldable smartphone category with iPhone Duo, which will be available in India from October 23, starting at Rs 2,99,900 for the 256GB model and going up to Rs 4,49,900 for the 2TB variant. Apple lists iPhone Duo for pre-order from October 16.

Apple has been recording strong growth in India, with its revenue estimated to have crossed USD 10 billion in FY26, powered by an all-time high in iPhone shipments. In rupee terms, the company’s revenue was estimated to be approaching the Rs 1 lakh crore mark.

According to Counterpoint Research, Apple’s iPhone shipments in India rose 24 per cent year-on-year to 14 million units in FY26.

The iPhone continues to account for the lion’s share of Apple’s revenue in the Indian market.