Sydney's George Street became a gathering point for technology enthusiasts on Friday as Apple's latest professional i Phone models officially went on sale in Australia.

Customers arrived hours before the Apple store opened to secure a place in line for the i Phone 18 Pro and i Phone 18 Pro Max. The Sydney launch formed part of the global release of Apple's newest flagship smartphones on September 18.

The first customers gathered outside the company's flagship store in central Sydney during the early hours of the morning. Some had travelled to the store specifically to be among the first Australian buyers of the new devices.

The launch attracted particular attention because Australia is among the first major markets where the new i Phones became available for in-store purchase because of its time zone.

A queue dispute also occurred outside the George Street store after another customer allegedly attempted to move ahead of people who had been waiting. The incident created a brief disagreement among customers before the launch proceeded.

The first recognised buyer was Lachlan Collyer, who purchased an i Phone 18 Pro Max. Collyer had also been among the first customers at an earlier i Phone launch.

The i Phone 18 Pro and i Phone 18 Pro Max are the first models in Apple's new 2026 Pro range to become available to customers. The two devices feature Apple's new A20 Pro processor and upgraded camera technology.

One of the major camera changes is a variable aperture system on the main camera, giving users greater control over how much light enters the lens. The feature is designed to provide additional flexibility for photography, particularly in changing lighting conditions.

The new Pro models are available in several finishes, including a new Burgundy option, as well as other colours introduced for the range.

Australian pricing begins at $2,099 for the i Phone 18 Pro and $2,299 for the i Phone 18 Pro Max, according to launch-day reports. Customers can choose from multiple storage configurations.

The launch comes ahead of the Australian release of Apple's first foldable i Phone, the i Phone Duo. That device is scheduled to become available at a later date, meaning customers interested in the company's new foldable design will have to wait beyond the September 18 Pro launch.

The Sydney launch demonstrates the continuing interest in Apple's annual smartphone releases, with customers prepared to queue outside physical stores despite the availability of online ordering and delivery.

The George Street store remained one of the key locations for Australian customers wanting to purchase the new devices on launch day.

The i Phone 18 Pro and i Phone 18 Pro Max are now available through Australian retail channels, while other models in the new i Phone range are scheduled for later availability.