Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max face shortages in India as retailers warn of delays. [Photo Source: X/Max Weinbach]
Apple fans in India may face delays getting their new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Retailers say supplies are very limited ahead of the September 19 launch. Customers looking for these top-end models may have to wait for their luck to change.
Industry sources say Apple’s wider retail network is one reason. The company now covers nearly 500 cities in India. While that has boosted Apple’s presence, it has reduced the number of Pro and Pro Max units available per store.
Retailers say shipments are heavily tilted toward base iPhone 17 models. In a delivery of 500 units, only around 50 are Pro models, and as few as 10 are Pro Max devices. Higher-capacity versions like 512GB and 1TB remain extremely scarce.
One retailer explained: “Consumers walking in on launch day usually want the Pro or Pro Max, and often the top-end storage models. But we simply don’t get enough units to meet that demand.”
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This shortage is hardest for stores that take bookings. Some retailers cannot meet customer commitments, while others push buyers toward base models. A second retailer said that distributors promised more stock in later batches, but the first lot is about 40% lower than last year.
Another added: “Distributors are logistics partners. They just do what they are told. There is no clear logic given behind this strategy despite phones getting made in India.”
Retailers admit this is now a yearly pattern. Pro models face shortages in the opening weeks, which later improve as Apple ramps up supply. Sources say the issue is not due to conflicts between Apple and distributors, but a simple demand–supply mismatch.
Apple has expanded its channel reach compared to last year. “Units per retailer may have reduced because the channel breadth has increased significantly. Apple’s channel now spans across 500 cities in the country, up significantly over last year. This is always a demand-supply issue; it always ramps up. It is a matter of two weeks,” a source explained.
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Initial production in India focuses on base iPhone 17 units. Foxconn and Tata-run Pegatron are assembling the iPhone 17 Pro, while Wistron is making the base models. Apple’s new iPhone Air is also being built in Tamil Nadu. However, much of this production goes to the US and Europe, even as Indian demand rises.
The shortage often pushes prices higher in the black market. Retailers and resellers charge 10–20% more during launch week, especially for Pro and Pro Max units. Those who do not pre-order usually end up paying a premium.
India is not alone. In the US, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is also in short supply. Estimated delivery dates now stretch into October. The Pro Max has long been the most popular choice among early adopters.
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Apple is expected to draw strong crowds at its own outlets. The company recently opened new stores in Bengaluru and Pune, adding to its presence in Mumbai and Delhi. These stores have already become some of Apple’s top performers globally.
The iPhone 17 starts at ₹82,900 for the 256GB model. The slimmer iPhone Air begins at ₹1,19,900. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at ₹1,34,900, while the Pro Max begins at ₹1,49,900. Apple has increased its starting price for the first time since the iPhone 12, but storage has also doubled from 128GB to 256GB.
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