iPhone 18 Pro Demand Surges in India: 15-28% Higher Than iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max Leads Interest

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are seeing stronger initial demand in India than their predecessors, with early checks indicating a 15-28% year-on-year increase over the iPhone 17 Pro series. Analysts and retailers have reported particularly strong interest in the Pro Max, Burgundy colour and higher-storage variants. The latest Pro models officially went on sale in India on Friday, September 18, following the opening of pre-orders on September 12. Customers turned up at Apple Stores and other retail outlets across cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Noida.

iPhone 18 Pro Demand Rises Up to 28%

According to initial checks by Counterpoint Research across 12 stores, demand for the iPhone 18 Pro was 15-28% higher than that of the iPhone 17 Pro at a comparable stage last year. Counterpoint Research director Tarun Pathak said it was still too early to provide definitive sales figures, but the initial store-level checks pointed to stronger year-on-year demand. The early demand data reflects launch-stage interest and should not be treated as final sales figures for the iPhone 18 Pro series. iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Sales Begin in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru as Buyers Queue Overnight.

iPhone 18 Pro Max and Burgundy Variant Attract Buyers

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is also seeing strong demand across the stores surveyed, with buyers showing interest in higher-storage configurations. The new Burgundy colour has emerged as a popular choice among customers, while demand for higher-capacity models has also been reported. Apple's latest Pro lineup is available in black, silver, glacier and Burgundy finishes. The phones also introduce updated camera and performance features, including a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture and Apple's A20 Pro chip.

iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max India Prices

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at ₹1,64,900 in India for the 256GB model. The 512GB, 1TB and 2TB variants are priced at ₹1,89,900, ₹2,39,900 and ₹3,14,900, respectively. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at ₹1,79,900 for the 256GB version. Its 512GB, 1TB and 2TB models are priced at ₹2,04,900, ₹2,54,900 and ₹3,29,900, respectively.Apple is also offering purchase options such as eligible bank-card cashback, no-cost EMI schemes and its  Trade In programme, which can reduce the effective cost for customers depending on the device being exchanged.

iPhone 18 Pro Series Goes on Sale Across India

Apple began selling the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max through its online store and six retail outlets in India on September 18. The devices are also available through authorised Apple resellers, online marketplaces and large-format retailers. The launch attracted customers at Apple Stores in several major cities. Reports showed buyers arriving hours before stores opened, with queues reported in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Noida and other locations. iPhone Craze: Customers Wait Whole Night to Buy iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro; Know What They Said (Videos).

India Becomes an Important iPhone Manufacturing Base

The strong domestic launch comes as Apple continues to expand iPhone manufacturing in India. Foxconn remains the largest manufacturing partner for iPhones produced in the country, while Tata Electronics is expected to increase its share of Pro-series manufacturing. India is projected to account for about 26% of global iPhone production in 2026, according to Counterpoint Research. Much of the India-made production is also being directed towards export markets, particularly the US and Europe, as Apple's manufacturing footprint in the country expands.

Early Demand Offers Positive Start for Apple's New Pro Models

The reported 15-28% increase represents early launch-stage demand rather than confirmed final sales. However, the initial store checks indicate that Apple's premium iPhone 18 Pro models have attracted higher demand than the corresponding iPhone 17 Pro models during the comparable launch period. With the iPhone 18 Pro Max, higher-storage configurations and the new Burgundy finish drawing particular interest, Apple is entering the latest sales cycle with strong early consumer attention in India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2026 07:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).