iPhone 18 Pro launches in UAE with strong demand, walk-in sales blocked

Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max across the UAE on Friday, September 18, following pre-orders that opened on September 12 and reportedly sold out in under 20 minutes. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Dh5,099 for 256GB, while the Pro Max begins at Dh5,499, with top-tier 2TB models reaching Dh10,599.

Apple stores at Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Yas Mall, and Al Maryah Island are fulfilling pre-order pickups by appointment only. Walk-in purchases are not available on launch day; a customer service agent told Khaleej Times that any unclaimed units may be sold first-come, first-served after all pre-orders are collected.

“The widest setting opens to ƒ/1.48, allowing roughly 50% more light through than the previous fixed-aperture design.”

Telecom operators e& and du offer the devices on instalment plans, while independent resellers may have limited stock at a premium. The new Burgundy colour is drawing the strongest pre-order demand, particularly for the 256GB Pro Max, retailers told Gulf News.

The headline hardware upgrade is a variable-aperture main camera with six laser-cut blades adjusting continuously across four settings, the widest at ƒ/1.48. The A20 Pro chip, built on a 2nm process, pairs with a redesigned vapor-chamber cooling system Apple says delivers 40% better sustained performance.

A foldable iPhone Duo is slated for pre-order on October 16 and release on October 23 at $1,999, according to Mashable. Emirates 24/7 reported queues forming before 6 a.m. at Dubai Mall, with some buyers purchasing multiple units for family members.