Dubai Mall Sees Launch-Day Rush as Fans Queue for iPhone 18 Pro.
Dubai: Excitement filled the Apple Store at Dubai Mall on Friday morning as eager shoppers lined up to be among the first to get their hands on Apple’s latest iPhones.
A long, winding queue formed outside the store as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max officially went on sale across the UAE on September 18.
Some customers arrived outside the Dubai Mall Apple Store as early as 3am, spending hours in line as they waited for the doors to open and the launch-day rush to begin.
For many Apple enthusiasts, the occasion was more than a routine shopping trip. It was a familiar launch-day tradition — arriving early, joining the queue and hoping to be among the first in the UAE to own the newest iPhone.
The sight of crowds gathering outside the store has become a familiar feature of major Apple launches in Dubai, with new iPhone releases regularly attracting enthusiastic shoppers over the years.
Last year’s iPhone launch also drew long queues at the Apple Store in Dubai Mall, as shoppers turned up early to be among the first to purchase the newly released models.
A launch shoppers prepared for
Excitement around this year’s launch had already been building well before the store opened its doors. Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max began in the UAE at 4pm on September 12.
Demand was strong from the outset, with some configurations reportedly selling out in less than 20 minutes.
The iPhone 18 Pro is priced from Dh5,099 in the UAE, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at Dh5,499. Retailers reported strong early demand, particularly for the Pro Max, while the burgundy colour option also attracted considerable interest.
According to some retailers, certain buyers in Dubai were prepared to pay premiums of up to Dh1,500 above the official retail price to secure the new iPhone on launch day.
Prices start at Dh5,099
The entry-level iPhone 18 Pro with 256GB of storage starts at Dh5,099, while the Pro Max begins at Dh5,499.
Prices for the highest-storage configurations can exceed Dh10,000, highlighting the enthusiasm of early adopters who queued at Dubai Mall to purchase the latest models as soon as they became available.
For customers looking to upgrade from an older device, Apple and participating retailers are offering trade-in credits and instalment payment options, which can help reduce the upfront cost of buying a new iPhone.
iPhone 18 Pro prices in the UAE
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Dh5,099 in the UAE, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max is priced from Dh5,499. Prices increase depending on the storage capacity selected.
iPhone 18 Pro:
- 256GB: Dh5,099
- 512GB: Dh5,949
- 1TB: Dh7,649
- 2TB: Dh9,349
iPhone 18 Pro Max:
- 256GB: Dh5,499
- 512GB: Dh6,349
- 1TB: Dh8,049
- 2TB: Dh10,599
UAE retailers have reported particularly strong pre-order demand for the Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro Max, with the 256GB model emerging as one of the most sought-after configurations.
Interest in the new signature colour reflects a trend seen during previous iPhone launches, when shoppers often favoured distinctive new finishes that made the latest models easily recognisable from earlier generations.
Why the queues still matter
The long lines remain notable because buying a new iPhone no longer requires customers to queue outside an Apple Store. With online ordering, pre-orders and multiple retail options available, shoppers have several ways to purchase the latest models without waiting in person.
Apple allows customers to order iPhones online and collect them from stores, while the latest models are also available through retailers and telecom operators across the UAE.
Despite these convenient alternatives, launch-day queues remain a familiar part of the iPhone phenomenon. For many enthusiasts, lining up in person has become a way to share in the excitement of a new release that could otherwise be purchased with just a few taps online.
At Dubai Mall, the atmosphere is heightened by the location itself. Apple’s distinctive curved storefront sits amid one of the city’s busiest shopping destinations, with the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain area directly outside.
Apple has described its Dubai Mall store as offering a “theatrical experience”, featuring a balcony overlooking the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa.
