Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could become significantly more expensive in the UAE. The flagship is expected to debut in September, but Apple has not officially revealed its pricing yet.
Analyst Jeff Pu reportedly forecast a USD 250-USD 300 price increase for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. That could push the Pro Max’s US starting price to between USD 1,449 and USD 1,499. Based on current estimates, the UAE price could reach roughly Dh 5,700 to Dh 6,400.
Higher component costs appear to be driving the expected increase. Reports point to rising prices for DRAM, NAND storage and the next-generation chip. The new camera system could also add to production costs. Apple increased prices in many other product lines due to higher memory and storage costs.
Nonetheless, the Dh 5,500 mark is just an estimate. Apple will announce the official price in the United Arab Emirates at its September launch. Given below are some of the cost-friendly alternatives:
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes pretty close as an Android contender. This handset boasts a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, 200MP main camera, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 5,000mAh battery capacity, and integrated S Pen functionality. The starting price in the UAE could be roughly Dh3,299 through existing promotions. However, official prices will be much higher.
Priced at around Dh 4,299, the Pixel 10 Pro targets buyers who prioritize photography and AI. It combines Google's Tensor G5 processor with 16GB RAM, a triple-camera setup and deep Gemini integration. Google also promises seven years of software and security updates.
The OnePlus 15 is the value-focused flagship of the group, with prices around Dh2,500-Dh3,600. It brings the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a massive 7,300mAh battery, 120W wired charging and a 6.78-inch LTPO display. Its hardware makes it particularly attractive to performance- and gaming-focused users.
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