Apple’s iPhone 18 launch has triggered long queues across India, with buyers waiting overnight for Pro models starting at ₹1,64,900 and the new foldable iPhone Duo priced at ₹2,99,900.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale in India on September 18, drawing long queues at stores in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities despite prices starting at ₹1,64,900.
Apple’s latest Pro models, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, became available for purchase across India from 8 am on Friday, September 18.
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Customers turned up hours before stores opened, with queues reported at Apple outlets in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Some buyers travelled from other states and waited overnight to get their devices.
At the Apple Store in Mumbai’s Jio World Drive, one customer said he had travelled from Nashik and had been waiting since 10 pm the previous night. In Bengaluru, another buyer said he arrived around 5 am.
A buyer in Noida said he had travelled from Punjab and had been waiting since 6 am after booking two iPhone 18 Pro Max units.
iPhone 18 Pro price in India
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 for the 256GB version.
| Model | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | 256GB | ₹1,64,900 |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 512GB | ₹1,89,900 |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 1TB | ₹2,39,900 |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 2TB | ₹3,14,900 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 256GB | ₹1,79,900 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 512GB | ₹2,04,900 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 1TB | ₹2,54,900 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 2TB | ₹3,29,900 |
Pre-orders for both Pro models opened in India on September 12, with general sales beginning on September 18.
What is new in the iPhone 18 Pro?
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max feature Apple’s A20 Pro chip and a new vapour chamber designed to improve performance, AI capabilities and battery life.
The phones feature a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture and new Pro camera controls. Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro Max offers the longest battery life of any Pro model.
The Pro models are available in black, silver, glacier and a new burgundy finish.
iPhone Duo: Apple enters the foldable phone market
Apple has also introduced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone.
The device features a 7.6-inch inner Super Retina XDR display and a 5.4-inch outer display. Apple says it is the thinnest iPhone when unfolded.
The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro chip and supports new multitasking features, Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. Its India price is listed at ₹2,99,900.
AirPods 5 and new Apple Watches also launch
Apple’s latest product lineup also includes AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
AirPods 5 feature an open-ear design with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive EQ, hands-free Siri AI, Live Translation and Siri Interactions using head movements.
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 feature the S11 chip and Health Sensing System. Apple says the Series 12 offers up to 24 hours of battery life, while the Ultra 4 offers up to 50 hours.
India-made Pro models available on launch day
This year’s launch also marks a shift in Apple’s manufacturing strategy in India. India-assembled iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models are available on launch day, with production involving Foxconn and the Tata Group.
The devices are being sold through Apple’s online store, its retail outlets and major electronics retailers.
Why the iPhone 18 launch is drawing attention
The launch combines three notable developments for Apple’s India market: the arrival of its latest Pro models, the expansion of local manufacturing and the introduction of Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
The launch-day availability of India-assembled Pro models is particularly significant for Apple’s manufacturing presence in the country. At the consumer level, however, the most visible feature of the launch has been the queues outside Apple stores, with some buyers travelling across state borders and waiting overnight.
The pricing also places the latest Pro models firmly in the premium smartphone segment, with the top-end iPhone 18 Pro Max 2TB priced at ₹3,29,900. The iPhone Duo starts at ₹2,99,900, making Apple’s entry into foldable phones a high-priced launch in India.
Published: 18 Sept 2026, 09:23 am IST
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