Apple stores in the UAE attracted significant customer interest, with eager clients lining up early on Friday to receive their new iPhone 17 devices, reflecting the typical excitement surrounding the launch of Apple’s latest offerings.
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Apple retail outlets began delivering the new phones to those who had pre-ordered after the pre-order window opened on September 12.
At the Apple Store in Dubai Mall, there was a notable demand for the iPhone 17 Pro Max models with 1TB and 2TB storage options during the handover process.
Deliveries are expected to continue throughout the weekend, as additional shipments of devices arrive to meet the high local demand.
For the first time, Apple has limited launch day sales to fully paid pre-orders only, a strategy aimed at managing crowds in Dubai’s shopping centers.
Hundreds also queued at Apple’s flagship stores around the globe as sales for the iPhone 17 series began, signaling a strong start for the new models in the world’s second-largest economy.
According to Apple, the base model of the iPhone 17 features a brighter, more scratch-resistant display and an improved front camera, enhancing the quality of landscape selfies.
Analysts believe that the iPhone 17 series could provide a crucial boost to Apple’s market share and shipments in China by the end of the year, where it has faced intense competition from Huawei and Xiaomi amid weakening consumer demand.
Chiu Li Shuan, a senior analyst at Omdia, stated that they anticipate iPhone shipments in China to rise by 11% year-on-year in the second half of the year, thanks to the new phone series, contributing to a 5% overall growth for Apple in 2025.
He added: “The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to outperform the 16 Pro Max due to its redesign, which usually stimulates replacement demand in China.”
He continued: “It is likely to become Apple’s top-performing model in the Chinese market by 2026.”