Despite general expectations of price drops for outdated iPhone models before the announcement of new devices from Apple, the situation in the UAE shows the opposite trend. Mobile device traders in the Deira market in Dubai told Khaleej Times that prices for earlier versions of the iPhone may increase in the period preceding the release of a new model.
This surge in demand usually occurs when buyers prefer to purchase the current model rather than wait for the next one. This leads to increased demand amid limited product availability. This is what is happening now, as there are reports that the upcoming iPhone 18 might cost more in the UAE.
According to traders, prices for some iPhone 17 models have already risen by Dh200 to Dh300 in the local market. Moudeen Mustafa from Phoneline in Deira noted that the iPhone 17 Pro was selling for approximately Dh4,700 a few days ago, but today its price has reached around Dh4,900, with the potential to exceed Dh5,100 if high demand persists.
He also reported that used iPhone 17 Pro models cost about Dh4,200, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) is available for approximately Dh4,000, though he expects further price increases for both options.
Moudeen Mustafa emphasized that the sharp rise in demand occurred after rumors began circulating about a more expensive iPhone 18. He added that the iPhone 17 Pro is currently the most sought-after model, and there was previously a shortage of some units.
Traders recalled similar trends observed before the release of the iPhone 6, iPhone X, iPhone 12, and now the iPhone 17 series, when many buyers chose to purchase the existing model. However, they also noted that before the arrival of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 13, prices for new and used iPhones gradually decreased as retailers cleared stock to make way for newer models.
Ashraf, another trader in Deira, stated that the market changes annually. He explained that sometimes people wait for a new model, causing prices to fall, while at other times concerns about the higher cost of the next phone prompt them to rush to buy the current model, which in turn raises prices.
He predicts that demand for the iPhone 17 Pro Max will remain high until the launch of the iPhone 18, and if the current rate of increase continues, prices may keep rising until September, and a shortage of popular models may also occur.
Traders also pointed to the post-Covid-19 period as one of the most unusual for the smartphone market. They mentioned that supply chain disruptions and limited availability in 2022 led to price increases for several iPhone models even after their official release.
Samad Hassan, a trader in Gargash Market in Deira, noted that local market prices can change almost daily depending on stock and demand. He added that some iPhone 17 models have increased by Dh200–Dh300, with the largest increase recorded on 1TB models. Currently, the silver color is the most sought-after, and demand for it is very high.
Hassan concluded that if stock becomes more limited in the coming weeks, prices for new and used iPhones may continue to rise. Although official prices for the iPhone 18 have not yet been announced, traders agree that older iPhones do not always become cheaper before a new release.
