Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.iPhone 18 Pro costs ₹33,000 less in Dubai, with savings possible even after flight and visa costs
The launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max has triggered strong demand among Apple fans in India, with long queues seen outside Apple stores. This year, however, some buyers are taking their shopping plans overseas, travelling to Dubai to purchase the new Pro models.
The reason is the significant price gap between India and the UAE. Buyers say that even after adding the cost of airfare and a visa, purchasing the iPhone in Dubai can still work out cheaper than buying it in India. The starting price of the iPhone Pro in India is around ₹1.65 lakh.
Dubai trip still works out cheaper for buyers
The calculation became particularly relevant when sales of the new iPhones began at the Apple Store in Dubai Mall on September 18. Indian buyers compared the prices before deciding whether the saving justified the additional travel expenses.
Mumbai resident Aman Solanki told Gulf News that the price difference makes the Dubai trip worthwhile. According to him, even after accounting for the flight ticket and visa, the purchase remains cheaper. He said buying more than one phone can increase the overall saving to around ₹50,000-₹60,000.
- One buyer reported savings of ₹20,000-₹30,000 on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- Multiple-phone purchases can widen the price difference further.
Tax difference is driving the price gap
The main reason for the lower Dubai price is the difference in taxes. Smartphones in the UAE attract 5% VAT, while prices in India are pushed higher by taxes and import duties. The difference becomes significant in the premium smartphone segment, where prices are above ₹1.5 lakh.
For such expensive phones, the tax difference can translate into savings of roughly ₹30,000-₹40,000. The comparison is between the same newly launched Pro models being sold in both markets, rather than between an old and a new generation of iPhones.
Buyers compare prices before making purchases
Mohammed Sayed from Kerala compared prices in India and the UAE while travelling to Dubai to meet his family. He decided to buy the iPhone 18 Pro Max and said he expected to save around ₹20,000-₹30,000 on the purchase because of the higher tax burden in India.
Abhishek Thomas, marketing manager at Airtel Digital, said such price differences show that pricing can influence not only what consumers buy but also where they choose to make the purchase. He said a buyer travelling to Dubai for a holiday could combine the trip with an iPhone purchase and make the overall expense worthwhile.
Customs rules remain important for returning buyers
However, buyers bringing an iPhone back to India need to keep customs regulations and applicable duty-free limits in mind. The final saving therefore depends not only on the UAE selling price but also on travel expenses and any taxes or duties applicable when the phone is brought into India.
Pro models get bigger batteries and three 48MP cameras
Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9 alongside its first foldable phone. The new Pro models feature three 48-megapixel cameras, covering the main, telephoto and ultra-wide cameras.
Apple says the iPhone 18 Pro can deliver up to 24 hours of use on a single charge, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max can last up to 30 hours. The company describes this as the longest battery backup offered on an iPhone so far. Both models can also reach 50% charge in 15 minutes.
