Dubai: Official Apple stores in the UAE, along with a number of electronics stores and outlets of the two telecom operators, e& and du, began delivering the new versions of the iPhone 18 yesterday, amid remarkable consumer demand.
Queues of consumers with pre-orders were observed waiting to receive their devices from the Apple store in Dubai Mall, as a number of them began flocking to the store during the early morning hours, hours before the scheduled time for the delivery of the new phones.
Consumers confirmed that they made sure to complete pre-orders and come to the store early, in order to ensure they received the new phones as soon as they were released.
Electronic stores and telecommunications company outlets also witnessed a surge in customers eager to acquire new phones.
Experts in the telecommunications and electronics supply sectors stated that the market demand for the new releases is due to the introduction of modern and advanced technologies within the iPhone 18 Pro phones, in addition to providing new options and colours.
The prices of the new iPhone models ranges between Dh5,099 for the iPhone 18 Pro and Dh5,499 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, depending on the different versions and specifications.
Consumer Mohammed Shaker said that he recorded the first delivery of the new iPhones from the Apple store in Dubai Mall yesterday, noting that he had to arrive before 6am and queue up to get the phones.
He added that he bought iPhone 18 Pro Max phones with different storage capacities for his family members.
For his part, consumer Mohammed Ismail said that he bought three iPhone 18 Pro Max phones, with storage capacities of up to 512GB, for members of his family and friends, explaining that he was keen to choose the devices in the new colours that the company introduced with the latest releases.
Consumer Youssef Emad stated that he bought the new iPhones as part of his desire to upgrade to higher specifications compared to the phones he currently owns, noting that he bought two new devices for himself and his wife.
He confirmed that he made sure to queue up from the early morning hours to get the new phones as soon as they started being delivered.
In the same context, Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer of du, said that the company has observed a large demand from customers to obtain the new versions of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, in various storage capacities and colours.
He added that the company began to provide devices to customers who had pre-orders yesterday, through its various outlets, noting that the volume of demand reflects the customers’ interest in the new releases, and their eagerness to acquire the phones as soon as they are released in the markets.
Benkirane pointed out that this year is witnessing a difference in the nature of demand for new phone releases, with two peak periods of demand from customers for the latest iPhone technologies. He explained that the first peak is currently appearing with the launch and delivery of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while the markets are expected to witness another peak of demand with the start of the anticipated reservations for the new foldable iPhone Duo phones during October.
He explained that the remarkable demand for new phones in the markets is due to two main factors. The first is the advanced technologies included in the devices, whether in terms of cameras, processors, or artificial intelligence technologies.
The second factor, according to Benkiran, relates to the new colours that the company introduced with the phones, which have attracted the attention of many customers.
For his part, Mustafa Anan, sales manager at an electronics supply outlet, said that stores are witnessing a high demand from customers to buy new phones after pre-orders were completed, noting that demand began to rise as devices began to be made available to consumers.
He added that the new colours, which are being introduced for the first time, along with the modern technologies included in the phones, are among the most prominent factors attracting customers, noting that developments related to cooling processes and variable cameras also represent elements that attract consumer attention when making the decision to purchase the new releases.
Fouad Abdel-Zaher, a phone sales manager at an electronics store, confirmed that demand for the new iPhones began immediately upon their availability in stores, noting that many customers were keen to acquire the modern technologies included in the devices at an early stage.
He added that this demand is particularly linked to changes in a number of technologies and specifications in the new phones, including charging capabilities, cooling systems and imaging technologies, which prompts some consumers to replace their current devices and acquire the latest versions as soon as they are released to the markets.