NEW DELHI — India’s technology sector achieved another major breakthrough this week after thousands of consumers demonstrated that a 12-minute delivery option does not necessarily eliminate the need to stand outside a store for 12 hours.
The iPhone 18 Pro went on sale in India with prices starting at ₹1,64,900, prompting customers to arrive outside Apple stores before sunrise, with some reportedly waiting overnight for the privilege of purchasing a phone before most people had finished their morning tea.
In Noida, one buyer provided an additional contribution to the country’s emerging smartphone economy after revealing that he had sold gold to purchase the Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro for his wife.
Another buyer travelled from Punjab with a friend, waited outside from around 6 am and prepared to spend more than ₹3.5 lakh on two phones, one for his girlfriend and another for himself.
Economists are now examining whether gold has finally found its true purpose.
“Traditionally, people sold gold when they needed money,” an imaginary financial adviser explained. “We are now seeing people sell gold because their wife wants Burgundy.”
Apple has yet to comment on the phenomenon. But Indian consumers have already reached the obvious conclusion.
If a phone can arrive in 12 minutes, waiting 12 hours must make it more valuable.
