As the sun rises across the world, it’s casting light on long queues outside Apple stores.
Friday is launch day for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. That’s left a trail of fans gathered outside Apple stores, hoping to be among the first to leave with the company’s newest phone. The new Apple Watches and AirPods 5 also arrive today.
Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, visited New York City’s flagship Fifth Avenue store for the launch, an appearance his predecessor, Tim Cook, has long made.
Apple Fifth Avenue… what a morning! pic.twitter.com/oOYbGu2SKT
— John Ternus (@johnternus) September 18, 2026
This year’s Pro models include a new 48-megapixel main camera with a variable aperture — a first for an iPhone — that promises more control over lighting and depth of field. The phones also run iOS 27, including Apple’s new AI-ific tools, like Siri AI.
The biggest new iPhone, though, is still a few weeks away: Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone Duo is still in pre-orders and is scheduled to go on sale October 23.
Here are photos from the iPhone 18 Pro’s launch day:
Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
The iPhones in mainland China won’t get some of Apple’s AI updates quite yet. That didn’t stop shoppers in Hangzhou, who created multiple long lines outside the Apple store.
Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
Same for Apple fans in Shenzhen.
Hong Kong
Apple capped direct purchases at two iPhone 18 Pros and two Pro Maxes per customer in Hong Kong, according to the company’s regional website.
Sydney, Australia
Australian iPhone fans also lined up for the new hardware on Friday.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
At Apple Store Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur, shoppers got a first look at the iPhone 18 Pro’s new blue and burgundy finishes.
London, England
Shoppers in London don’t seem to be constrained by any purchase limits, per pictures.
London, again
I wasn’t kidding.
Mumbai, India
India had the familiar iPhone launch-day energy, with customers queuing overnight outside Apple stores.
Milan, Italy
In Milan, launch day also brought a dose of labor unrest.
Italian Apple retail workers went on strike over working conditions, gathering outside the company’s flagship glass-cube store with flags, whistles, and rattles.
Milan, again
Customers waited in line as they listened to the protests.
New York, New York
New York City’s flagship Fifth Ave store hosted hundreds of customers who wanted their first glance at the new phone — and a potential selfie with the new CEO.
CEO John Ternus in New York
Friday marks Ternus’s first big launch as Apple’s CEO. He made his first major public appearance during the phone’s announcement on September 9.
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