Mumbai's Apple BKC store witnessed a massive turnout this morning as the iPhone 17 series went on sale in India. Eager customers lined up outside the store well before sunrise, hoping to be among the first to purchase the newly launched devices. The enthusiasm was palpable, with some shoppers having waited since the early hours to get their hands on Apple's latest offerings.
The iPhone 17 series, which was unveiled by Apple earlier this month, is priced between ₹82,900 and ₹2,29,900. The devices are now available for purchase in India for both pre-booked and walk-in customers.
One of the first customers in line at the Mumbai BKC store told news agency PTI that he had been waiting since 3 am, traveling from Jogeshwari. He expressed his excitement and anticipation for the phone, which he had been waiting for over the last six months.
Similar scenes unfolded in Delhi, where long queues formed outside Apple's Saket store. A customer named Irfan told ANI that he was there to buy the orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, having waited since 8 pm the previous night. He cited the improvements to the camera and battery, as well as the distinct new look, as reasons for his eagerness.
To boost sales, Apple's retail partners and distributors have introduced several offers, including cashback, exchange bonuses, and long-term EMI schemes. Customers upgrading from older iPhone models can also take advantage of bundled deals on accessories and wearables. Ingram Micro, Apple's largest distributor in India, is offering an instant cashback of ₹6,000 and a six-month no-cost EMI on the iPhone 17. The Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Air models come with ₹4,000 cashback and similar EMI options. Additionally, customers can get up to ₹7,000 as an exchange bonus for eligible devices, with financing plans extending up to 24 months.
Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a photo of the Apple BKC store in Mumbai, which has been decorated with giant illuminated letters spelling "PRO" and "AIR" to highlight the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air.
The iPhone 17 boasts several new features, including the Center Stage front camera, a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system, a brighter 6.3-inch display with ProMotion, and improved battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are powered by the A19 Pro chip and feature all 48MP rear cameras. The iPhone 17 Pro models also have a new telephoto lens that supports both 4x and 8x optical zoom, along with 40x digital zoom.
The iPhone 17 series includes four models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Air is touted as the thinnest iPhone ever, measuring just 5.6mm.
The launch of the iPhone 17 series has generated significant excitement in India, with long queues and enthusiastic customers eager to get their hands on the latest Apple devices. The new iPhones offer a range of upgrades and features, from improved cameras and displays to faster processors and innovative designs.