iPhone 18 Pro launches with strong India demand, muted global signals

Apple ↘ 0.26% began selling the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in India on Friday, with analysts and retailers reporting a 15 to 28 percent year-on-year rise in initial demand compared to the iPhone 17 Pro launch — even as global pre-order data paints a more cautious picture.

India Demand Outpaces Last Year

Counterpoint Research, after checking data from 12 stores on launch day, found that initial demand for the iPhone 18 Pro series was 15 to 28 percent higher than that for the iPhone 17 Pro series at the same point last year. "While it's too early to share definitive sales figures, initial demand for the 18 Pro is outperforming the 17 Pro YoY," said Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research. Pathak noted that the Burgundy color and higher storage variants were drawing particular interest.morungexpress+2

Retailers said launch-day stock supplied to stores had largely sold out and fresh allocations were being assigned. The absence of a standard iPhone 18 model this year has concentrated buyer attention on the two Pro models. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at Rs 1,79,900 for the base 256GB variants. Apple is offering cashback incentives and trade-in bonuses to sweeten the deal.moneycontrol+2

Global Wait Times Tell a Different Story

Despite the strong India showing, global pre-order wait times suggest a steadier upgrade cycle. UBS ↗ 0.14% Evidence Lab tracking data across more than 30 regions found that average wait times stood at roughly 23 days for the Pro Max and 16 days for the Pro, both shorter by about two days year-on-year. Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan's team reported the global average wait for the iPhone 18 Pro was 14 days as of September 14, compared with 18 days for the iPhone 17 Pro at the same point.pc-tablet+2

Analysts have offered competing interpretations. Some view the shorter waits as a sign of softer demand, while others point to improved supply chain management by Apple. The imminent arrival of the $1,999 foldable iPhone Duo, set to go on sale October 23, may also be prompting some buyers to hold off.thestreet+3

The Foldable Factor

Apple's first foldable smartphone looms as an important variable. The iPhone Duo, announced at Apple's September 8 event, starts at Rs 2,99,900 in India and will be available for pre-order from October 16. Market researchers believe its introduction into a category long occupied by Samsung Electronics could be drawing attention away from the standard flagship lineup. How demand evolves over the coming weeks — and whether the iPhone Duo cannibalizes or complements Pro sales — will be closely watched by investors and analysts alike.indianexpress+1