By News Karnataka
Copyright newskarnataka
The launch of Apple’s iPhone 17 series in India turned chaotic on Thursday as large crowds gathered outside flagship stores in Mumbai and Delhi, leading to scuffles and security concerns. The frenzy highlighted the rising demand for Apple products in India, now one of the company’s fastest-growing markets.
Fights break out at BKC flagship store
The most dramatic scenes were reported from Apple’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) store in Mumbai. Hundreds of eager customers queued up overnight to be among the first to purchase the new iPhone 17 series. However, as gates opened, multiple fights broke out among impatient groups. Security personnel were seen struggling to control the surging crowd.
Gen Z fighting for Apple iPhone 17 like it’s oxygen… EMI warriors at their finest. What a downfall of priorities! #iPhone17 pic.twitter.com/mNFtLaW42Y
— Ambani Hu (@AmbaniHu) September 19, 2025
Visuals from the scene showed two separate queues arranged to manage the rush, but the sheer number of people overwhelmed the arrangements. Several buyers expressed concerns about inadequate safety measures outside the store, though many waited patiently for hours before being allowed inside.
Delhi customers camp overnight
Similar excitement unfolded at the Apple outlet in Select Citywalk Mall, Saket, New Delhi. Dozens of enthusiasts camped overnight in front of the store, hoping to be early buyers. Queues stretched through the night, with some customers documenting their wait on social media.
#WATCH | Mumbai | A customer, Aman Chouhan, says, “I have purchased iPhone 17PRO Max, one is 256GB and the other is 1TB. I was waiting in line since 12 midnight and now I have got it. It has new features. The orange colour is new…” https://t.co/NnweXyMyKN pic.twitter.com/LS3ns7rHxi
— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2025
Store managers in Delhi also arranged separate lines to ensure an orderly entry, but bottlenecks persisted due to the heavy turnout. The rush echoed the global tradition of overnight Apple queues, a phenomenon that is steadily gaining traction in India.
The iPhone 17 line-up
Apple rolled out its latest devices in India just days after the global launch on September 9. The new line-up includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the iPhone Air. Alongside the smartphones, Apple introduced the AirPods 3, Watch Series 11, Watch SE 3, and Watch Ultra 3.
The iPhone 17 Pro starts at USD 1,099, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max begins at USD 1,199, both offering 256GB of storage. In Indian currency, the devices are priced at over ₹90,000 and above ₹1 lakh respectively.
A key design change this year is the full-width camera plateau at the rear, replacing the compact camera cluster of earlier models. All three cameras now feature upgraded 48-megapixel sensors, promising sharper resolution and improved performance. The Pro models also boast Apple’s largest-ever iPhone battery and a durable aluminium frame.
Colour and display upgrades
The 6.3-inch iPhone 17 Pro and the 6.9-inch Pro Max are available in three colours — silver, blue, and a new vibrant orange, which has attracted strong customer attention. The redesigned telephoto lens now supports up to 8x optical quality zoom, aided by a 56 percent larger sensor. Apple says this marks the most significant leap in its mobile photography technology since the introduction of ProRAW.
Apple’s growing focus on India
India has increasingly become central to Apple’s global strategy, with the country not only serving as a major market but also a production hub. Apple opened its first two retail outlets in Mumbai and Delhi in 2023, signalling its push to strengthen direct customer engagement.
Analysts note that the response to the iPhone 17 series reaffirms India’s position as a growth driver for the company. “The kind of overnight queues and crowd enthusiasm we saw this week are typical of New York or Tokyo launches. Seeing it in Mumbai and Delhi underlines how important India has become for Apple,” said a senior market researcher.
While the excitement surrounding the iPhone 17 launch has underscored Apple’s growing clout in India, the chaotic scenes outside its stores point to the need for better crowd management and security planning. Nevertheless, for thousands of enthusiasts who queued overnight, the thrill of being among the first to own the latest iPhone outweighed the inconvenience.
