Overview
- Apple began first‑day sales on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, and hundreds of customers formed overnight queues outside Apple Stores in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Noida.
- The iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are offered in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB variants with prices starting around ₹1,64,999 for the Pro and ₹1,79,900 for the Pro Max and topping near ₹3.29 lakh for 2TB models.
- Retailers promoted purchase incentives on launch day that include select‑bank instant cashback of up to about ₹7,000, No Cost EMI plans, and trade‑in discounts reported up to about ₹81,500.
- Quick‑commerce platforms Zepto, Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart listed the new models for delivery in selected cities, giving buyers an option to skip store queues though availability and delivery times vary by area.
- The launch mixed intense consumer enthusiasm and celebrity visibility with public criticism of spending priorities, and the entry of instant‑delivery apps for high‑value phones could reshape how premium devices are sold and reduce the need for first‑day store visits.