iPhone 17 Frenzy Grips India with Overnight Queues and Scuffles at Apple Stores
The launch of Apple's new iPhone 17 series in India descended into chaos on Friday, as unprecedented crowds of eager buyers overwhelmed security, leading to scuffles, overnight queues, and a nationwide frenzy. The scenes, particularly at Apple's flagship Mumbai store where fights broke out among frustrated customers, painted a vivid picture of a brand whose demand has reached a fever pitch, far exceeding the logistical preparations for the highly anticipated sale. Despite eye-watering prices, the craze for the latest iPhones, especially the all-new ultra-slim iPhone Air, has hit an all-time high.
Mayhem in Mumbai
The most dramatic scenes unfolded at the Apple Store in Mumbai's BKC Jio Centre. What was meant to be an orderly and premium retail experience quickly devolved into a chaotic scramble as massive crowds jostled for position. Videos from the scene captured people throwing punches and ignoring the frantic whistles of security guards in a desperate attempt to get ahead in the queue. Officials were forced to intervene and physically remove the aggressors from the crowd. Several shoppers blamed the chaos on inadequate security and a failure to manage people cutting the line, a situation that turned the launch into a tense and volatile affair.
The Overnight Vigil
The frenzy was not limited to Mumbai. In New Delhi, the Apple Store at Saket's Select Citywalk Mall saw hundreds of dedicated fans waiting patiently overnight to be the first to purchase the new devices when the doors opened at 8 a.m. The queue reportedly spanned two floors of the mall, with some buyers claiming to have been in line since 1 a.m. The dedication of the fans was extraordinary, with some revealing they had traveled from as far as Punjab and had even called in sick to their jobs to be a part of the launch-day experience. Similar scenes of massive, snaking queues were reported from Apple's other stores in Bengaluru and Pune, confirming that the iPhone 17 launch was a truly nationwide phenomenon.
Unshakeable Brand Power
This level of hysteria is all the more remarkable given the premium pricing of the new lineup. The standard iPhone 17 starts at ₹82,900, with the new iPhone Air priced from ₹1,19,900 and the top-end Pro Max model starting at ₹1,49,900. The fact that these price tags did little to deter the massive crowds is a powerful testament to the almost cult-like following Apple has cultivated in the Indian market. The launch of the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and the stunning new iPhone Air, alongside the refreshed Apple Watches and AirPods Pro 3, was not just a product release; it was a cultural event. The chaotic scenes, while a logistical failure, are an undeniable indicator of a blockbuster success for Apple, proving that for a significant and growing number of Indian consumers, the desire to own the latest iPhone is a passion that transcends both price and patience.
Launch Highlights
Launch Day Chaos: The launch of the iPhone 17 series in India was marked by chaotic scenes, including scuffles and fights breaking out among customers at the Mumbai Apple Store.
Unprecedented Demand: Massive, overnight queues formed at Apple stores across the country, with some fans waiting for over seven hours and traveling from other states to be the first to buy.
High Prices No Deterrent: The frenzy occurred despite the premium pricing of the new lineup, with the iPhone 17 starting at ₹82,900 and the new iPhone Air at ₹1,19,900.
Logistical Overwhelm: Shoppers attributed the chaos at the Mumbai store to a lack of adequate security and poor crowd management, which failed to prevent people from cutting the line.
