Apple will open pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in India today, September 12, at 5:30 pm IST. Buyers can book the phones through Apple's official online store, the Apple Store app, authorized retailers, and other major online and offline platforms.
The devices go on sale from September 18. Anyone who wants a phone on launch day should place the order during today's window itself, since supply may run tight later.
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs. 1,64,900 for the 256GB model, while the Pro Max begins at Rs. 1,79,900. Storage now goes up to 2TB, and the top-end Pro Max variant crosses Rs. 3 lakh.
Both phones come in Black, Silver, Glacier, and a new shade called Burgundy. The Pro has a 6.3-inch display, and the Pro Max steps up to 6.9 inches with a bigger battery.
Under the hood is the new A20 Pro chip along with Apple's own C2 modem, which should bring faster and more efficient connectivity. The camera system gets a real upgrade too.
iPhone 18 series comes with a 48MP Fusion Main sensor with a variable aperture, paired with 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide and Telephoto units. Apple says this setup improves low-light shots and gives users more control over depth of field.
The company also added a next-generation vapour chamber to manage heat during heavy use, along with Ceramic Shield 2 for tougher display protection.
There is also a small but interesting change in timing this year. Apple usually opens pre-orders on the Friday right after its launch event.
This time, the company pushed the date to Saturday instead, since the usual Friday slot would have landed on September 11, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Apple reportedly shifted the window by a day to avoid a clash with the anniversary.
Apple is offering up to six months of no-cost EMI through select banks. Shoppers using eligible American Express, Axis Bank or ICICI Bank cards can also get an instant cashback of up to Rs. 7,000.
Under Apple's trade-in program, buyers can get credit worth up to Rs. 81,500 depending on the condition and model of their old device.
New buyers also get three months of Apple Music, Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade free with their purchase. Given the memory shortage affecting the industry this year, those who wait too long could see their delivery pushed beyond September 18, so it helps to keep payment details and trade-in device information ready before the window opens.