iPhone 17 frenzy in India draws backlash on X, users question youth priorities: 'Speechless'

Meanwhile, retailers sought to capitalise on the enthusiasm by promoting launch-day incentives.

The global release of Apple’s iPhone 17 series on September 19 drew significant attention in India, with buyers gathering outside Apple outlets and partner retailers from the early hours of the morning. At stores in Delhi and Mumbai, long lines formed well before opening, with some customers reporting that they had taken their place in queues as early as 2 am.

The new line-up included four models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone Air. Each device was launched alongside iOS 26, which Apple promoted as offering a more refined user experience with hardware and software improvements.

Scenes outside stores showed rows of chairs occupied by customers waiting to purchase the latest handsets. Social media users commented extensively on the phenomenon. Rishi Bagree wrote on X: “India is an amazing country where people die in a 30-minute ATM queue during winter but none die in 21-hour iPhone queues during 35-degree hot & humid temperatures.”

India is an Amazing country where people die in a 30-minute ATM queues during winter but none die in 21-hour iPhone queues during 35-degree hot & humid temperatures.

pic.twitter.com/eL9txuNd4U

— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) September 19, 2025

A political commentor, identified by the surname Sinha, expressed astonishment at the level of dedication, stating: “I came to stand in line at 2 a.m. last night to get iPhone 17. I’m speechless…!!!!!!”

“I came to stand in line at 2 a.m. last night to get iPhone 17"

I'm speechless ....!!!!!!

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pic.twitter.com/DuXbfQafdD

— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) September 19, 2025

Public opinion, however, remained divided. While some praised the strong response to Apple’s latest models, others questioned whether the investment of time and money was justified.

Most of them seems to be from middle class background , buying the phone via loans. Is it really necessary ?

— Atul Modani (@atulmodani) September 19, 2025

Apple is making IPhone in India and selling them at highest cost in India. A company who has not done a single innovation in last 5 year and all models looks the same. While even small end Android phones are giving wow AI features, Apple has pathetic Apple Intelligence where now…

— बेबाक़ बातें 🇮🇳 (@bewaakbaatein) September 19, 2025

Indians are a rare human being, they complain about standing in queue for voting, ration, railway counter... But not about waiting at the Apple iPhone stores.

— HakunaMatata (@dhanapal13) September 19, 2025

How far india came pic.twitter.com/c3D1gAfFcm

— Lakhan Sharma (@Lakhan_Sharma__) September 19, 2025

Meanwhile, retailers sought to capitalise on the enthusiasm by promoting launch-day incentives. Chains such as Reliance Digital and Croma announced various schemes including bank-linked cashback offers, exchange benefits and instalment plans without interest charges.