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- Eager Sydney customers queued early for Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro launch.
- The first purchase was an iPhone 18 Pro Max in Glacier.
- Returning tech enthusiast Lachie Collyer secured the first handset again.
- The premium Pro tier is the only smartphone available today.
- Pricing for the flagship iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at AUD$2,299.
It is 8 a.m. outside the Apple Store on George Street, Sydney. Eager customers have lined up to get their hands on the latest iPhone 18 hardware before anyone else in the country. While some dedicated fans were awake before 3 a.m. to secure a prime spot, you thankfully do not have to camp out overnight to snag a handset as you did a decade ago.
We head into the CBD to cover this launch every year, and it’s always fascinating to see which specific devices the early adopters choose. This year presents a unique scenario because the standard iPhone 18 models are delayed (likely until Spring next year). With the highly anticipated foldable iPhone Duo also not releasing until October 23rd, the only smartphone options available at launch today are the premium Pro-tier devices.
Because of these release delays, those queuing on George Street today are committing to a significant hardware spend. Securing a device on day one means purchasing the flagship iPhone 18 Pro starting at AUD$2,099, or upgrading to the top-tier iPhone 18 Pro Max for AUD$2,299. Despite the hefty premium, returning customers eagerly lined up to access the new A20 Pro chipset and the highly anticipated Burgundy colourway.
| Model | Available Colours | Starting Price (AUD$) |
| iPhone 18 Pro | Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy | $2,099 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy | $2,299 |
The person at the absolute front of the queue, who had been waiting for hours, purchased an iPhone 18 Pro Max in Glacier. In a fun twist, it’s the exact same tech enthusiast, Lachie Collyer, who we saw secure the very first handset at last year’s launch.
Last year, he famously opted for the standard model because he noted it had “basically every Pro feature you want, without having to pay for a Pro.” However, with the standard iPhone 18 delayed this year, he jumped to the flagship Pro Max tier to get his hands on the latest variable-aperture hardware.
Speaking of hardware, our team has already spent the last week reviewing the devices these early buyers waited for. In testing across our written reviews and YouTube, the A20 Pro chipset demonstrated improved thermal stability under extended workloads compared to the previous generation. The new six-blade mechanical variable aperture system on the 48MP Fusion camera also provides physical depth-of-field control directly on the lens.
RELATED: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Review: First Impressions, 5 Days in Hand
The wearable lineup also introduces significant hardware updates. The flagship smartwatch incorporates an updated Health Sensing System powered by the S11 chip, which routes processing through the Secure Exclave for upcoming on-device AI tasks like Siri Recap.
RELATED: Apple Watch Ultra 4 Review: Health Upgrades Now, Personal AI Soon
Pricing and Availability
The new iPhone 18 Pro (from AUD$2,099) and iPhone 18 Pro Max (from AUD$2,299) are officially available in stores from today, Friday, September 18, 2026. They’ve been released alongside a major suite of new Apple products, including the foldable iPhone Duo, the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and the new AirPods 5.
iPhone 18 Pro Max Key Specifications
- Processor: A20 Pro with new 6-core CPU
- Display: Super Retina XDR with Dynamic Island
- Camera: 48MP Fusion Main camera with mechanical variable aperture
- Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Starting Price: from AUD$2,099 inc. GST
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