The launch of the iPhone 18 Pro in the UAE has triggered a wave of intense activity among resellers, who are capitalizing on the massive demand for the latest devices. Friends Raihan and Muhammed Shabeeb went as far as sleeping in their car to ensure they were first in line, ultimately investing Dh550,000 to secure 76 pre-ordered units. By leveraging multiple accounts and coordinating with their housemates, they managed to snatch up dozens of phones, successfully flipping them for premiums ranging from Dh500 to Dh2,000 within hours of the store openings.

This phenomenon extends beyond local opportunistic sellers; international business owners are also flocking to Dubai to stock up. Rustom Saidukov, a shop owner from Uzbekistan, traveled specifically to secure 20 units, noting that the high demand back home makes paying a premium in the UAE a profitable venture. Meanwhile, eager consumers like Ahmed Salah are willing to pay significant markups—sometimes over Dh1,000—just to maintain their tradition of owning the latest model on day one. With specific storage capacities and colors like "burgundy" becoming highly sought after, the secondary market continues to thrive as local retailers and travelers alike scramble to satisfy the immediate global hunger for Apple’s newest flagship.