UAE iPhone Market Sees iPhone 17 Pro Max Sell at Premium While Older Models Drop in Price

Excitement, status, and early access drive demand for the latest Apple release, reshaping the UAE smartphone market

Apple enthusiasts in the UAE are paying a premium to get their hands on the newly launched iPhone 17 Pro Max, even as prices for older models tumble. Just a week after its release, customers are reportedly paying between Dh500 and Dh1,000 above the official price to secure the latest device immediately, highlighting the continued allure of Apple’s flagship smartphones.

Local retailers report that older iPhone models have seen a sharp drop in prices. The iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB now sells for approximately Dh4,300 new, down from Dh4,600 prior to the iPhone 17 launch. Pre-owned units are priced around Dh3,600. Similarly, the iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB has seen its price fall to Dh3,800 for new units and Dh3,000 for used ones, reflecting a Dh500 decrease across both categories.

Mohammed Ashraf of Classic Communication in Deira noted that the price drop of older models was earlier than expected. “Usually, the price of old iPhones drops gradually. Nobody knew about the new design, and when it was revealed, the price of older versions dropped overnight,” he explained.

Despite the discounts on previous models, the iPhone 17 Pro Max continues to attract buyers willing to pay extra for immediate access. Moideen Mustafa from Phone Line said, “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.” He added that the new design and features have made this launch particularly desirable.

The trend is driven by a mix of excitement and social influence. The iPhone has long been viewed as a status symbol, and many customers are eager to be the first among friends or colleagues to own the latest model. “Some customers say they don’t mind spending Dh1,000 more because they want to be the first to use the new phone,” Mustafa explained.

Another factor impacting the market is the surge in trade-ins. Many buyers are selling their older iPhones to partially offset the cost of the iPhone 17, increasing the supply of used devices and accelerating the drop in their resale value. Mustafa noted, “Many buyers are trading in their iPhone 15 or 16 to cover part of the cost of the iPhone 17. That is one reason why used phone prices are dropping faster than before.”

Retailers expect the iPhone 17 Pro Max to continue selling at a premium for several more days until stock levels stabilize. Meanwhile, older models are likely to see further depreciation as trade-ins rise and buyers shift their focus to the newest release.

The UAE market’s response to the iPhone 17 launch underscores the enduring appeal of Apple devices, where innovation, exclusivity, and social signaling drive consumer behavior, shaping the dynamics of supply, demand, and resale values across the region.