NEW DELHI, BENGALURU: Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale across India on Friday, drawing eager customers to Apple Stores in Noida, Bengaluru and Maharashtra as buyers lined up to get their hands on the latest devices.
A customer described the iPhone launch as a ‘festival’ as buyers gathered in large numbers at Apple Stores across India to purchase the newly launched iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
A customer from Bengaluru, Rahul, who has been buying iPhones since the iPhone 7, said he arrived at around 5 am and described the annual iPhone launch as a “festival”.
“I’ve been here since around five o’clock in the 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… I’m expecting a phone. But it’s like a festival for me. iPhone launch is like a festival. Every year, I try to buy an iPhone,” he said.
In Noida, customers thronged the Apple Store at DLF Mall as the official sale of the new iPhone models began.
A buyer who travelled from Punjab said he had been waiting in the queue since 6 am and managed to get the first iPhone 18 Pro Max after making the earliest booking.
He said, “I bought two iPhone 18 Pro Max. I came from Punjab and have been standing in the queue since 6 AM. Mine was the very first booking; I am the first one who has got the phone…”
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: An iPhone buyer says, “…I was using the iPhone 13 before, so it is worth the upgrade. There are a lot of features, and I am feeling good about it, as I could collect it in only 5 minutes…” https://t.co/z8XTuQLvLw pic.twitter.com/9rzmAyeypY
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026
A Bengaluru customer who upgraded from an iPhone 13 said the new device was worth the upgrade, citing its features and adding that he was able to collect it within five minutes. “…I was using the iPhone 13 before, so it is worth the upgrade. There are a lot of features, and I am feeling good about it, as I could collect it in only 5 minutes,” he said.
In Maharashtra, another customer who managed to get the first phone said, “I’ve got the first phone. I’m really excited. I was trying 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…”
The latest Pro models are available through Apple’s online store and six retail outlets across the country. On launch day, physical Apple Stores are opening early at 8 am and will remain open until 10 pm, allowing customers to purchase the new iPhones from the morning itself.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max come in black, silver, glacier, and a new burgundy finish. The phones feature a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture and new Pro camera controls. They are powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip and a new vapour chamber aimed at improving performance, AI features, and battery life.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 for the 256GB model, while the 512GB, 1TB and 2TB variants are priced at Rs 1,89,900, Rs 2,39,900 and Rs 3,14,900, respectively. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,79,900 for the 256GB variant. Its 512GB, 1TB and 2TB variants are priced at Rs 2,04,900, Rs 2,54,900 and Rs 3,29,900, respectively.
Apple has announced its latest products as part of its 2026 fall lineup, with the new iPhone 18 Pro series, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and its first foldable iPhone Duo joining the range.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max come in black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish. The phones feature a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture and new Pro camera controls. They are powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip and a new vapour chamber aimed at improving performance, AI features and battery life.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to offer the longest battery life on a Pro model. In India, pre-orders for both models began on September 12, with sales starting September 18.
Apple has also introduced AirPods 5, which come with Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design. The company says the new earbuds can remove up to 50 per cent more outside noise than AirPods 4 with ANC.
AirPods 5 also feature a new acoustic design, Adaptive EQ, hands-free Siri AI, Live Translation and Siri Interactions through head movements. The Wireless Charging Case version offers up to five hours of listening time with ANC and also gets volume controls on the stem. In India, pre-orders started September 9 and availability began September 18.
The new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 come with the Health Sensing System and S11 chip. The watches offer heart rate sensing, more frequent heart rate and HRV readings and a new readiness score.
The Apple Watch Series 12 offers up to 24 hours of battery life, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 offers up to 50 hours. The Ultra 4 can also track outdoor workouts for up to 45 hours. Both watches opened for pre-orders in India on September 9, with availability starting September 18.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 prices here
Apple’s biggest new addition is the iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable iPhone. It has a 7.6-inch inner Super Retina XDR display and a 5.4-inch outer display.
Check the price of the iPhone Duo
When opened, the iPhone Duo is the thinnest iPhone, according to Apple. It is powered by the A20 Pro chip and comes with an advanced camera system, all-day battery life and new multitasking features. The phone will also support dual-display experiences through iOS 27, Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.
Despite the high pricing of the phones, long lines were seen outside stores in India as Apple opened its doors for customers. (ANI)
