iPhone 18 Pro Launches Globally Amidst Fan Queues and Scalper Activity

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now officially available for purchase globally, with eager customers forming queues outside Apple Stores in cities including Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, and Singapore.

These new flagship models boast improvements in battery life, processor power, and a significantly upgraded camera system featuring a new mechanical aperture. Prices start at £1,199 for the iPhone 18 Pro and £1,299 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Despite the premium pricing, demand appears strong, with fans gathering in the early hours to be among the first to acquire the devices.

In Hangzhou, China, scalpers were observed offering to purchase the new iPhones from customers outside retail locations, indicating a secondary market for the devices.

These new models were announced at an event in Cupertino the previous week. While visually similar to their predecessors, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, they incorporate substantial internal upgrades. Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, stated that the company made significant advancements in areas crucial to users: camera, performance, battery, and intelligence. He described the upgrades as leaps forward, aiming to deliver the best Pro iPhone to date. The iPhone 18 Pro is designed to simplify the capture of high-quality photos and videos with its variable aperture, offering greater versatility for creators and enhanced control for professionals. The inclusion of enhanced Photographic Styles and advanced video capabilities aims to unlock new avenues for user expression.

The iPhone 18 Pro is offered in four color options: Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy. Additionally, the new iPhones will feature the upgraded Siri AI, a component of Apple Intelligence that was previously anticipated.

For those interested in Apple's first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, sales are scheduled to begin on October 23. This device features a book-style design with a large 7.6-inch Super Retina inner display and a 5.4-inch outer display. Constructed from titanium and available in night sky and star white, the iPhone Duo is engineered with a durable hinge designed to minimize screen creasing. A notable difference from other iPhone models is the inclusion of Touch ID for unlocking, rather than Face ID. Apple CEO John Ternus described the iPhone Duo as the most transformational change to the iPhone since its original release. Pricing for the iPhone Duo ranges from £1,999 to £3,199 ($1,999 – $3,199 USD), making it Apple's most expensive iPhone to date.