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iPhone 18 Pro global price comparison: How much it costs in US vs UAE and elsewhere
Confirmed
In Short: Apple has increased the starting prices of its iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, making them $100 more expensive than their predecessors, which could put pressure on Android manufacturers and affect international buyers.
Apple has increased the starting prices of its iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, making them $100 more expensive than their predecessors, according to Android Authority. This price hike has spread across much of the lineup, with even the iPhone Air climbing from $999 to $1,099. The price increases have made older iPhones more expensive, which could matter most for Android users, as they might now face higher prices for older models. Normally, once a phone has been on shelves for a while, its price would decrease, but this is not the case with Apple's new iPhones.
Even as Apple's new iPhones become more expensive, the move could make it easier for Android manufacturers to justify higher prices for their next flagships, according to Android Authority. The price increases have spread across much of the lineup, with the iPhone Air climbing from $999 to $1,099. This could mean a Galaxy phone you’ve been waiting to buy isn’t necessarily safe from a price increase simply because it launched months ago.
In India, the current pricing of the iPhone 18 starts from 82,900 rupees, according to Jagran Josh. Apple products, especially the new model iPhones, are often priced quite high in India in comparison to other countries. The price hike is primarily a result of basic customs duties (BCD), 18% GST, and currency exchange volatility. Indian buyers face updated retail tags following the recent Apple iPhone 18 launch on September 9, 2026.
However, purchasing an iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max abroad can offer significant savings, provided you navigate local sales taxes, customs rules, and hardware variations like eSIM compatibility. In various other countries, there are lower taxes, strong currencies which makes it a cheaper option in comparison to India. Knowing about these differences is not just useful for someone planning to buy an iPhone abroad, it also gives us insight into how global trade, taxation, and currency exchange rates affect the everyday gadgets we use.
What's confirmed
- Apple has increased the starting prices of its iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, making them $100 more expensive than their predecessors, according to Android Authority. This price hike has spread across much of the lineup, with even the iPhone Air climbing from $999 to $1,099. The price increases have made older iPhones more expensive, which could matter most for Android users, as they might now face higher prices for older models. Normally, once a phone has been on shelves for a while, its price would decrease, but this is not the case with Apple's new iPhones.
- Even as Apple's new iPhones become more expensive, the move could make it easier for Android manufacturers to justify higher prices for their next flagships, according to Android Authority. The price increases have spread across much of the lineup, with the iPhone Air climbing from $999 to $1,099. This could mean a Galaxy phone you’ve been waiting to buy isn’t necessarily safe from a price increase simply because it launched months ago.
- In India, the current pricing of the iPhone 18 starts from 82,900 rupees, according to Jagran Josh. Apple products, especially the new model iPhones, are often priced quite high in India in comparison to other countries. The price hike is primarily a result of basic customs duties (BCD), 18% GST, and currency exchange volatility. Indian buyers face updated retail tags following the recent Apple iPhone 18 launch on September 9, 2026.
- However, purchasing an iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max abroad can offer significant savings, provided you navigate local sales taxes, customs rules, and hardware variations like eSIM compatibility. In various other countries, there are lower taxes, strong currencies which makes it a cheaper option in comparison to India. Knowing about these differences is not just useful for someone planning to buy an iPhone abroad, it also gives us insight into how global trade, taxation, and currency exchange rates affect the everyday gadgets we use.
What's still developing
- Apple’s new iPhones are here, and alongside all the camera, performance, and software upgrades, there’s another change that’s much harder to get excited about: they’re more expensive.
- When it comes to buying an iPhone in India, one thing that becomes a common pain point is the price tag on each of these devices.