S’pore iPhone 18 launch: Queue started at 11pm, 1 person picked up at least 33 iPhones on behalf of others

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launched in Singapore on Sep. 18, 2026.

Wait

When Mothership arrived at the Apple store in Orchard at about 5:35am, a long queue had already formed.

More than 120 people were seen in line.

Those in the queue were issued a wristband a day before on Sep. 17, which allowed them to get in line to purchase the phones.

According to a security staff managing the crowd, the queue started forming in earnest at about 4am.

The Apple store was set to open its doors at about 8am.

Open

Ten seconds before the doors opened, Apple staff started a countdown.

Once the store opened for business, customers were seen inspecting the new phones and making purchases.

The first customer to get his hands on a new iPhone 18 Pro Max was Hector Yong, a 19-year-old student.

His brand new phone came in the “Glacier” colourway.

Yong said he felt “very honoured” to be the “first in Singapore” to try the new phone and was mainly excited about its features.

“I am very particular about its display, to see that the iPhone has cut down the dynamic island, I am quite happy to see,” he said.

Yong added that he had been queuing for the phone since 11pm overnight.

Another customer, Vu Tran, a 30-year-old Vietnamese national who works in construction, was a returning customer.

He had bought the previous year's iPhone and came back to Singapore for this year’s iteration.

Tran added that he flew in to Singapore to also help his “wife and mum” get their hands on the new phones.

He was at the launch with his friends.

Observations

One man was seen collecting at least 33 iPhones.

When Mothership reached out to him, he declined to comment.

He was likely picking up the purchases on behalf of others.

Mothership understands that each person is limited to buying two iPhone 18 Pro and two iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Another man was also seen purchasing the phone in cash.

Out of stock

The phones ran out of stock before 10am.

But the phones were still available next door at Courts Nojima at The Heeren.

They are limited to one set per customer.

A line could be seen outside Courts.

Price

The new phones come in four new colourways: Burgundy, Glacier, Silver, and Black.

Here is the price list for the iPhone 18 Pro:

256GB: S$1,899

512GB: S$2,199

1TB: S$2,799

2TB: S$3,699

Here is the price list for the iPhone 18 Pro Max:

256GB: S$2,099

512GB: S$2,399

1TB: S$2,999

2TB: S$3,899