1 hr ago
Indian Buyers Queue for iPhone 18 Pro Launch
Apple started selling its newest iPhone 18 Pro models in India on Friday.
Many people waited outside Apple Stores for hours, and some stayed overnight.
Buyers came from cities and states far away because they wanted to be among the first customers.
Some people called the launch a yearly festival.
Others said they wanted to see whether the new features were worth upgrading for.
The phones have an improved camera and processor.
They also include features related to artificial intelligence and battery performance.
The cheapest iPhone 18 Pro costs Rs 1,64,900 in India.
The larger Pro Max model starts at Rs 1,79,900.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale in India on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 8 am.
Buyers queued overnight or arrived early at Apple Stores in Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities.
Some customers travelled from Punjab, Nashik, Surat and other places to collect phones or secure early positions.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900 in India.
The new models feature a 48MP Fusion Main camera, A20 Pro chip, variable aperture and a new burgundy finish.
- Who
- Apple and customers buying the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- What
- The two new Pro iPhone models began general sales in India, prompting long queues at Apple Stores.
- Where
- Apple Stores and retail outlets across India, including locations in Delhi, Noida, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
- When
- Friday, September 18, 2026; sales began at 8 am, following pre-orders that opened on September 12.
- Why
- Customers wanted to be among the first to receive the new phones or upgrade for their camera, processor, AI and other features.
Launch Enthusiasm
Practical Price and Upgrade Concerns
Importance of buying on launch day
Launch Enthusiasm
Many buyers described the launch as a festival and waited for hours or overnight to be among the first to receive the phones.
Practical Price and Upgrade Concerns
Other customers took a more measured view, describing the device as simply a phone and saying they would judge its performance after using it.
Whether upgrading is worthwhile
Launch Enthusiasm
Customers upgrading from older or recent models cited improved cameras, processors, AI features and performance as reasons to buy.
Practical Price and Upgrade Concerns
The reports note that the phones carry high prices in India, and some buyers said they wanted to see what features had actually changed before deciding whether the upgrade was worthwhile.
Key facts
- Models
- iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
- India sale date
- September 18, 2026
- Pre-orders
- Opened September 12, 2026
- Starting prices
- Rs 1,64,900 for iPhone 18 Pro; Rs 1,79,900 for iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Storage options
- 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB
- Key hardware
- 48MP Fusion Main camera, A20 Pro chip and new vapour chamber
- Colours
- Black, silver, glacier and burgundy
- Store hours
- Physical Apple Stores opened at 8 am and were scheduled to remain open until 10 pm on launch day
Quotes
First iPhone 18 buyer at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex
A customer who emerged first from the Bandra Kurla Complex Apple Store on launch morning.
“There was a long queue. People from Haryana, Delhi, and Mumbai are here just to buy the iPhone. I've been purchasing iPhones for a very long time. I remember my first iPhone was an iPhone 7. Since then, I've been continuously buying iPhones... iPhone launch is like a festival. Every year, I try to buy an iPhone”
NDTV
telegraphindia.com
“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.”
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
Rahul
A Bengaluru customer who has purchased iPhones since the iPhone 7
“I’ve been here since around 5 AM. There was a long queue. People from Haryana, Delhi, and Mumbai are here just to buy the iPhone. I’ve been purchasing iPhones for a very long time. I remember my first iPhone was an iPhone 7. Since then, I’ve been continuously buying iPhones… iPhone launch is like a festival. Every year, I try to buy an iPhone…”
deccanchronicle.com
indianexpress.com
“I’ve come for the 18 Pro Max 1TB. I’ve already pre-booked it; I’m just waiting here. There’s quite a crowd. But I want to be the first to get it… Right now, I’m using the 17 Pro; let’s see what features they’ve introduced in the 18 Pro.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
iPhone 18 Sale Begins In India: "It's Like A Festival For Me"
Buyers Queue Up as iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max Sale Begins in India
‘Want to be the first’: Apple fans queue up across India for iPhone 18 Pro launch
Midnight queues, early morning frenzy: Buyers throng Apple stores as iPhone 18 sales start - Telegraph India
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