Enthusiastic fans stood in extended lines outside Apple retail locations across India on Friday as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max became available for purchase. This latest release from Apple marks a significant shift in pricing strategy, with costs rising approximately Rs 30,000 compared to last year’s models.
At the base storage level, the iPhone 18 Pro is priced at Rs 164,900, while the Pro Max commands Rs 179,900. Despite these elevated price points, customer demand remained robust, with many buyers queuing before dawn. In Bengaluru, a customer identified as Rahul arrived around 5 a.m., describing the annual launch event as a “festival.” Rahul, a long-time Apple enthusiast who has purchased every iPhone model since the iPhone 7, emphasized his consistent dedication to the brand.
Similarly, at the Noida store in northern India, a buyer claimed to have secured the first phone by traveling from Punjab and waiting since 6 a.m. The price hike breaks a recent trend of Apple maintaining stable launch prices in the Indian market. Contextualizing the cost, World Bank data indicates that India’s GDP per capita was $2,702.5 in 2025, though this figure does not reflect income inequality within the country.
In other news, the Election Commission of India has prohibited both factions of the Trinamool Congress from using the party’s name and symbol in upcoming by-elections. Opposition leaders criticized the timing, with one characterizing it as a “late night birthday gift” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating suspected wildlife smuggling after five infant orangutans were discovered in the Balasore district of Odisha. The animals, which are native only to Sumatra and Borneo, were found in a forest far from their natural habitat. Officials note that the increasing appearance of exotic animals, including rare reptiles, suggests India is becoming a more frequent destination for trafficked wildlife.
On the sports front, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is looking to expand its global viewership by targeting potential fans in China, aiming to grow its audience beyond India’s 1.4 billion population.
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