Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are recording stronger opening demand in India than their predecessors, with analysts and retailers reporting a 15–28 per cent year-on-year rise at launch despite elevated price points. The surge signals sustained appetite for premium smartphones in one of the world's fastest-growing mobile markets.

What the Data Shows

Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, said the firm checked data from 12 stores and found early demand outpacing last year's equivalent launch. 'While it's too early to share definitive sales figures, initial demand for the 18 Pro is outperforming the 17 Pro YoY,' Pathak said, adding that the Burgundy colour variant and higher-storage options are drawing the most interest.

'Early feedback is positive, though we'll need to monitor performance over a longer window once the initial launch hype stabilises,' he noted. Retailers confirmed that launch-day stock had largely sold out, with fresh allocations being assigned to meet continuing demand.

Why Demand Is Concentrated on the Pro Models

Industry experts point to a structural shift in Apple's India line-up this cycle: the absence of a standard iPhone 18 model has funnelled buyer attention squarely onto the two Pro variants. This is notably different from previous years, when entry-level iPhone buyers had a non-Pro option at launch, distributing demand more broadly across the range.

Apple began selling both models in India on Friday, 18 September 2026, through its online store and six retail outlets across the country. The devices are also available through Apple's authorised reseller network, online marketplaces, and large-format retailers. Resellers, according to Pathak, are driving volume by reaching buyers across different geographies.

Pricing and Launch Offers

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 for the base 256GB model, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is priced from ₹1,74,900. Apple is offering an ₹7,000 instant cashback on eligible card EMI transactions and ₹6,000 on eligible full-swipe card purchases for both Pro models. Customers trading in an existing device can avail an additional top-up of up to ₹10,000, subject to residual device value.

What's Coming Next: iPhone Duo

Apple's first foldable smartphone — the iPhone Duo — is expected to go on sale in India from 23 October 2026. The foldable's arrival will mark a significant new product category for the brand in the country and is likely to generate its own wave of consumer and investor attention in the weeks ahead.