iPhone 18 Pro Launch Sparks Buying Frenzy, Buyers Queue Overnight in Mumbai

MUMBAI, Sept 18: Apple’s latest iPhone 18 Pro series triggered a strong buying rush across India on Friday, with large crowds gathering outside Apple outlets and customers forming long queues hours before the stores opened for retail sales.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max officially went on sale in India at 8 am, with prominent Apple outlets in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Noida witnessing substantial crowds eager to purchase the new flagship smartphones.

At Apple’s outlet in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), customers began arriving well ahead of opening time, with some reportedly spending the entire night outside the store to secure their preferred model, colour and storage configuration.

The BKC outlet also drew customers from outside Mumbai, including buyers from different parts of Maharashtra and neighbouring Gujarat who travelled specifically for the launch.

A customer from Nashik said he reached the BKC store around 10 pm on Thursday and waited overnight for the outlet to open. Several other customers said they spent between 10 and 12 hours in the queue.

The atmosphere outside the store remained charged with anticipation as customers waited to enter and collect devices they had pre-booked online.

Several buyers were seen collecting multiple handsets, with some picking up three or four devices booked in advance for family members. Customers without prior bookings, however, faced difficulty securing specific variants as stocks of some colours and storage configurations were limited.

Some buyers unable to obtain their preferred configurations reportedly returned without purchasing the devices.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 for the 256GB variant, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is priced from ₹1,79,900. The models are available in black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish.

Powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip, the smartphones are being sold through Apple’s online and physical stores as well as authorised retail partners across the country. Pre-orders opened on September 12.

The first-day rush at Apple BKC and other major outlets reflected the continued demand for Apple’s premium smartphone range, with enthusiasts travelling long distances and waiting overnight to be among the first to own the new models. (Agencies)