iPhone 18 Pro Max entered Dubai’s resale market on launch day, with some buyers being offered as much as AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 above Apple’s official UAE pricing for newly purchased devices.
As Apple stores opened across the UAE on Friday (September 18, 2026), resellers gathered outside locations including Dubai Mall to buy handsets from customers who had secured pre-orders. The Burgundy finish appeared to be particularly sought after, with sellers reporting strong interest in the new colour.
Apple’s UAE price for the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at AED 5,499 for the 256GB version. However, newly purchased units were being offered at substantially higher prices on resale platforms.
Listings for the 256GB model on Dubizzle were around AED 6,500, roughly AED 1,000 above Apple’s official starting price. Some 512GB versions were listed for as much as AED 9,000.
The Burgundy variant was attracting particular attention. Another report from Dubai found sellers asking AED 8,000 for a 256GB iPhone 18 Pro in Burgundy, around AED 3,000 above its official AED 5,099 price. A separate seller listed a Burgundy Pro Max 256GB at AED 6,500.
The demand for Burgundy already became apparent during the pre-order period. UAE retailers reported strong interest in the colour, particularly for the Pro Max, with the 256GB configuration emerging as a popular choice.
The launch-day resale activity coincided with heavy crowds at Apple stores. Some shoppers arrived at Dubai Mall hours before opening, while others bought multiple devices for family members and friends.
The resale market was also visible around other Apple stores in the UAE, where buyers emerged with newly collected handsets and resellers waited to purchase them. Security personnel at Dubai Mall were reportedly managing crowds and preventing resellers from gathering in certain areas.
Also Read: Missed iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Order in UAE? Here’s How You Can Still Get One
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at AED 5,099 in the UAE, while the Pro Max begins at AED 5,499. Both models are available with storage options extending to 2TB, with the top Pro Max configuration priced at AED 10,599.
Apple is also offering trade-in credits of up to AED 3,260, depending on the existing device and its condition. For now, the first hours of the UAE launch have created a fast-moving resale market, particularly around the Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro Max, as early buyers look to capitalize on limited availability.