Chandigarh/New Delhi/ Mumbai, September 19: The launch of Apple’s iPhone 17 series in India on Friday drew massive crowds outside stores in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, with buyers lining up overnight and scuffles breaking out in some locations.
All four of Apple’s official stores opened at 8 a.m., but excitement built long before the shutters lifted. By dawn, hundreds had already gathered, many having queued through the night to secure the new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, released alongside updated Apple Watches and AirPods Pro 3.
At Mumbai’s BKC Jio Centre, the launch scene turned chaotic when jostling broke out in the queue. Videos posted by news agencies showed people shoving and throwing punches as whistles from security guards went largely ignored until officials intervened and escorted several individuals away.
“It became completely disorderly. Everyone wanted to push forward,” said Mohan Yadav, a buyer who had been in line since early morning. “I have been standing here for hours, but the security had no responsibility. People were breaking lines, and those of us who came first were left behind. We lost our chance because of poor management.”
Similar scenes of relentless demand were reported at Apple’s other flagship outlets. In New Delhi, the Select Citywalk Mall in Saket saw queues stretching across two floors, with some buyers carrying stools and mats to endure the long wait. Several shoppers said they had arrived as early as 1 a.m. to ensure a spot at the front of the line, while others admitted they had taken leave from work just to be part of the launch day.
“I came from Punjab only for this,” said another customer outside the Delhi store. “It’s not just about the phone. It’s about being the first to own it.”
Apple’s Bengaluru and Pune stores witnessed comparable crowds, though officials reported fewer disruptions compared with Mumbai.
Despite premium prices, enthusiasm appeared undeterred. The iPhone 17 starts at ₹82,900, while the ultra-slim iPhone Air is priced at ₹1,19,900. The iPhone 17 Pro retails at ₹1,34,900 and the high-end iPhone 17 Pro Max at ₹1,49,900.
Industry analysts noted that judging from the day-one turnout, Apple’s latest lineup is poised for another successful run in India, one of the company’s fastest-growing markets.
