Why are Indians flying to Dubai for iPhone 18 ? Know cheaper destinations to buy apple products
PTC News Desk: For many Indians, buying a new iPhone means visiting an Apple Store, shopping online or waiting for a bank discount. But this time, some Apple buyers are considering travelling abroad to get the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at a lower price.
Dubai has become an option for some buyers because the price difference between the UAE and India is significant. In some cases, buyers say the phone can still be cheaper even after accounting for flight and visa costs.
Big price difference between India & Dubai
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at AED 5,099 in the UAE, which is roughly ₹1.32 lakh–₹1.33 lakh at recent exchange rates.
In India, the 256GB model starts at ₹1,64,900. This means there is a difference of around ₹33,000 before travel expenses.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at AED 5,499 in the UAE, or approximately ₹1.42 lakh–₹1.44 lakh.
In India, its starting price is ₹1,79,900, creating a price gap of around ₹38,000.
For some buyers, this difference is large enough to consider making a trip to Dubai to purchase the phone.
Why is iPhone cheaper in Dubai ?
Taxes and import duties are major factors behind the difference.
The UAE has a 5% VAT, while India has a different tax and import-duty structure for smartphones. These differences can significantly affect the final price of expensive phones.
Apple lists the UAE prices at AED 5,099 for the iPhone 18 Pro and AED 5,499 for the Pro Max. Both models are offered with storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB.
The comparison is therefore between the same new Pro models rather than an older or lower-specification version.
Malaysia and Asian markets also cheaper
Dubai is not the only option. Some Southeast Asian countries are also offering the iPhone 18 Pro at lower prices.
Among the markets mentioned:
Malaysia: Around $1,350 for the 256GB model
Thailand: Around $1,468
Singapore: Around $1,492
Vietnam: Around $1,500
Philippines: Around $1,509
For Indian travellers, Malaysia and Thailand can be particularly interesting because short tourist visits may not require a pre-arranged visa for eligible Indian travellers.
Someone already planning a holiday could therefore combine the trip with an iPhone purchase. However, the actual savings will depend on airfare, accommodation, other travel expenses and applicable customs rules.
- PTC NEWS
