Some fans in the UAE are willing to pay twice the price on the first day to get their hands on the new iPhone 17 and iPhone Air.
The launch has sparked huge excitement across Dubai and the wider UAE, thanks to the slimmer design, new features, and the promise of all-day battery life.
Official sales begin on September 19, with pre-orders available from September 12 both online and in stores.
The 1TB iPhone Air is priced at AED 5,999, but some customers are paying up to AED 12,000 just for the prestige of being among the first owners. For many, it’s not just a purchase—it’s a matter of status.
While experts have raised concerns about battery performance, demand for the iPhone 17 is expected to be stronger and more sustainable than last year’s iPhone 16. Some early buyers are even reselling their devices at higher prices to make quick profits.
Meanwhile, older models like the iPhone 14 and 15 have dropped in price, but stocks of the iPhone 16 Pro have run out. In fact, the iPhone 16 has gone up by AED 200–400 in the past two weeks, showing that the market remains hot.
