3am Waits and Dh70k Bills Mark Dubai’s iPhone 18 Pro Max Launch
Dubai Mall’s parking lot turned into an overnight waiting area as dedicated Apple fans arrived as early as 3am on Thursday, September 18, 2026, eager to secure Apple’s newest flagship release.
Queues inside the mall began forming sharply around 7am, while other eager buyers had already been waiting outside since about 5am. Stores across the UAE kicked off sales for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, though initial in-store purchases were strictly limited to customers who held pre-orders.
Among the crowds, the Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro Max emerged as the clear top pick, with shoppers frequently walking out carrying multiple boxes for friends and family. Mohammad Shaka, who has made a habit of securing the top spot, was first in line once again after buying the iPhone 17 last year. He walked away with three units this time, including models in Glacier and Burgundy for his household.
For some, the upgrade came with a hefty price tag. Resident Amin dropped nearly Dh40,000 on several Burgundy units featuring storage capacities between 256GB and 512GB, finally trading in an outdated iPhone 12 for the camera upgrade. Fellow shopper Abdul went even further, purchasing seven phones for his circle with a total spend landing between Dh60,000 and Dh70,000.
The morning rush drew a diverse crowd, from university students switching back from Samsung after a 5am arrival, to younger fans like school student Hamdan, who skipped classes alongside his uncle Fazrul to join the frenzy.
The heavy demand for the burgundy colorway and massive pre-order turnouts highlight an enduring local appetite for Apple’s latest hardware lineup.
