Excitement at the Apple Launch in Sydney
Bragging rights are hard-earned at an Apple event.
Lachlan Collyer learned this the hard way, having spent hours outside Sydney’s flagship store only to see someone cut in front of him and rush in, claiming to be the world’s first owner of the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
At just 20 years old, Collyer made it to the front of the line outside the Apple Store on George Street, which opened at 8 a.m. on Friday, marking the first opening globally.
As he proudly displayed his new iPhone 18 Pro in a striking Glacier ice blue color, a line-cutter sped past him, waving his phone and yelling about being the first to own the device. This scene really illustrated how important these moments are for some fans.
“I’m the first! I’m the first! All the f—king news lies!” the man shouted as he exited the store.
Despite the chaos, Collyer remained upbeat, sharing his excitement about being among the first to possess the latest Apple product.
“To own the first ever [John] Ternus product is incredibly thrilling. The first-ever and last-ever 2-nanometer architecture chip set is quite a leap,” he said, visibly eager about what Apple has in store for the future.
While some considered the line-cutter a distraction, many acknowledged Collyer as the true first customer through the doors. He wasn’t alone in waiting for the launch.
Mehak Dhiman, 26, and Shav Chandra, 24, had arrived by 6 a.m., sharing breakfast together as they contemplated their color choices between the returning glacier blue and the newcomers’ bold burgundy.
“We’re really excited. I mean, we came here early to decide on our color. The red is daring, fresh, and unique, but the glacier is a lovely pastel. We just needed to see them up close,” Chandra remarked.
Inside the store, customers also got an early look at Apple’s highly anticipated foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, which will officially launch on October 23. Chandra expressed interest in checking it out despite not planning to purchase it.
A group of influencers from Sydney was also present, including Brad Canning, whose sneak peek video of the new iPhones garnered 2.8 million views on TikTok prior to the launch, along with others like Jeremy Franco and Seva Mozhaev, who shared their experiences on social media.
The release of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max marks a new era under Apple’s current CEO, John Ternus, following Tim Cook and Steve Jobs. This model features the most significant camera advancements the company has introduced in years.
The new iPhones are equipped with a 48-megapixel camera with a variable aperture and the new A20 Pro chip. Apple claims these devices come with the best battery life seen on an iPhone, offering up to 34 hours of video playback for the Pro and 43 for the Pro Max.
Additionally, a reimagined Siri is included, powered by the next generation of Apple Intelligence under iOS 27, along with a more compact dynamic island. And, in a comprehensive rollout, Apple also launched the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 on the same day, with new Mac mini and Mac Studio models set to follow on September 22.
