First iPhone 18 Buyer Queues from Midnight

Customers queued at the hello store in Grand Indonesia, Jakarta, on Friday (16 October) to buy or collect iPhone 18 Series devices they had pre-ordered. CNBC Indonesia observed long queues from the morning, while social media posts also showed crowds at one collection point.

Among the earliest arrivals was Samad, 30, from Setiabudi, Jakarta. He said he was pleased to be the first person at the store to buy an iPhone 18 Pro Max, having arrived in the early hours.

“I’m very happy to be customer number one buying the iPhone 18 Pro Max, even though I’ve been here since half past two,” Samad told CNBC Indonesia.

Samad said he had been looking forward to the iPhone 18 launch in Indonesia from the outset. He was particularly interested in its camera, which he felt suited his hobbies of travelling and photography.

“I’ve been waiting for the iPhone 18 to launch in Indonesia from the beginning. I’m interested in the camera, and as it happens, I enjoy travelling and photography,” he said.

Samad chose the iPhone 18 Pro Max with 1TB of storage. Taking advantage of a BCA Prioritas promotion, he paid around Rp39.7 million.

His purchase was one example of consumer enthusiasm for the first day of sales of the iPhone 18 Pro Series in Indonesia, with camera features and storage capacity among buyers’ considerations.