Apple Launches iPhone 18 Pro With Price Hikes

Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 18, 2026, across major markets including India and the United Arab Emirates. The new lineup features a price increase of $100 over previous generations, with base prices in India starting at Rs 164,900 for the Pro and Rs 179,900 for the Pro Max. In the UAE, the Pro starts at Dh5,099 and the Pro Max at Dh5,499.

Demand was high at physical retail locations, with crowds gathering as early as 3:00 a.m. at the Dubai Mall and long queues forming in Bengaluru, Noida, Delhi, and Mumbai. In India, the launch saw a surge in quick-commerce adoption; Bigbasket delivered over 300 devices within the first hour, while Blinkit offered same-day delivery across 10 cities. Retailers reported that launch-day stock largely sold out, with particular interest in the burgundy color and higher storage configurations.

To support the rollout, manufacturing partners Hon Hai Precision Industry and Tata Limited operated Indian plants 24/7, utilizing chartered flights for distribution. This reflects India's growing role in the supply chain, now producing 25% of all iPhones. Investment firm Evercore ISI raised its price target for Apple to $380, citing a better-than-expected refresh cycle. Analyst Amit Daryanani noted that 53% of polled respondents planned to purchase a new model, with interest in the Pro Max rising to 32%.