The launch of Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max drew some Indian buyers to Dubai, where the UAE’s official prices are significantly lower than those in India. For some shoppers, the difference was large enough to justify the cost of a flight and visa.
The Pro models went on sale in UAE stores on September 18, with customers arriving at Apple’s Dubai Mall outlet to collect pre-ordered devices. While most shoppers were UAE residents, Gulf News spoke with Indian buyers who traveled to Dubai specifically to buy the new iPhones.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro starts at AED 5,099 in the UAE for the 256GB model, while the Pro Max begins at AED 5,499. In India, the corresponding starting prices are Rs. 1,64,900 and Rs. 1,79,900.
At the exchange rates used in the report, the UAE price for the iPhone 18 Pro works out to roughly Rs. 1.32 lakh, around Rs. 33,000 below its Indian starting price. The Pro Max comes to about Rs. 1.42 lakh, a gap of about Rs. 38,000.
The difference grows for customers buying more than one device.
For buyers, the UAE’s proximity to India and the availability of Apple’s official retail stores make Dubai an accessible destination for electronics shopping. However, actual savings can vary once you factor in travel expenses, payment charges, and any applicable import requirements.
Mumbai-based Aman Solanki said that he expected to save around Rs. 50,000-Rs. 60,000 in India-UAE price differences after deciding to buy multiple Pro Max phones for his family. For Solanki, the price difference was enough to make a trip to Dubai worthwhile.
“Even with the flight ticket and visa cost, it is still cheaper for me to buy the phone here in Dubai than compared to India, where the additional taxes cause it to be very expensive,” Solanki said.
Another Indian shopper, Mohammed Sayed from Kerala, said he was saving roughly Rs. 20,000-Rs. 30,000 by purchasing the phone in Dubai. He had initially traveled to the UAE to visit family but decided to buy the device there after comparing prices.
“I actually came to visit my family here too but decided to buy the phone here after comparing the cost between the UAE and India. For me, I’m saving around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 for the new iPhone. The taxes really increase the price,” said Mohammed Sayed from Kerala.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are available in Burgundy, Glacier, Silver and Black, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB. Both models run on Apple’s A20 Pro chip. The new phones also feature a 48MP Fusion Main camera with a variable aperture, giving users more control over their photos. Apple has also introduced new Pro camera controls.
With the UAE offering a sizeable price difference compared with India, some shoppers said buying in Dubai made financial sense, particularly when purchasing multiple phones at once.