Apple’s newly launched iPhone 17 continues to command a premium in the UAE, with eager buyers paying well above its official retail price even a week after its release. Retailers report that many customers are willing to spend an additional Dh500 to Dh1,000 to secure the device immediately, while older iPhone models have seen sharp price drops as demand shifts.
In local shops, the iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB now sells for around Dh4,300 new, while a used version is available for Dh3,600. Just days before the iPhone 17 hit shelves, the same device was priced about Dh300 higher. The iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB has also lost value quickly, with new units dropping to Dh3,800 from Dh4,300 and used ones falling to Dh3,000, a Dh500 decrease since the new model launched.
Retailers say the sudden decline in prices for older models was sharper than in previous years. “Usually, prices fall gradually,” said Mohammed Ashraf of Classic Communication in Deira. “This time, when the new design was revealed, the prices of older versions dropped overnight.”
Despite these cuts, customer interest is firmly centered on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which many enthusiasts are rushing to buy even at inflated prices. “People don’t want to wait. Even though stocks are coming slowly, customers are paying more just to buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max right away,” said Moideen Mustafa of Phone Line.
Retailers attribute the demand surge to a mix of excitement, design changes, and social pressure. The iPhone, long considered a status symbol in the UAE, continues to attract buyers who want to be among the first to own the latest device. “Some customers say they don’t mind spending Dh1,000 more because they want to be the first among their friends or colleagues to use the new phone,” Mustafa explained. He added that many shoppers prefer to buy from local dealers instead of waiting for official stocks to arrive at larger outlets, prioritizing convenience and immediate availability.
Another factor driving the market is the trend of customers selling or trading in older devices to finance their upgrades. The influx of used iPhone 15 and 16 models has further pushed down second-hand prices. “Many buyers are trading in their old phones to cover part of the cost of the iPhone 17. That is one reason why used phone prices are dropping faster than before,” Mustafa noted.
Retailers expect the iPhone 17 to continue selling above its official price in the short term until supply improves. In contrast, older models are likely to see further declines in value as more customers upgrade and trade-in activity increases.
