Indians fly to Dubai for iPhone 18 Pro: Cheaper even with flight, visa
Indian consumers are traveling to Dubai to purchase the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. The significant price difference between the UAE and India makes the trip cost-effective even when factoring in airfare and visa expenses.
Why it matters
This highlights the impact of high import taxes and pricing strategies on consumer behavior in emerging markets like India.
For most people, buying a new phone means opening an e-commerce app, comparing prices and perhaps waiting for a sale. For some Indian iPhone fans, the latest upgrade came with a rather different itinerary: pack a bag, board a flight and head to Dubai.The reason? The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are significantly cheaper in the UAE than in India, according to prices cited by Gulf News. And for some buyers, the difference is large enough to make even the cost of flying to Dubai part of the calculation.As the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale at the Apple Store in Dubai Mall on September 18, Indian shoppers were among those joining the launch-day crowd.
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