A disturbance occurred as the initial batch of iPhone 15 series devices went on sale in Dubai Mall, with crowds of buyers lining up to secure their units. Three Russian travelers, not involved in the altercation, shared with socialbites.ca their experiences purchasing the iPhone 15 in Dubai and the prices they paid.
According to Andrey, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus were in high demand. He noted that these models were being offered primarily as replacements for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In the morning, he acquired an iPhone 15 Pro Max with 512 GB from a seller in the Mall of the Emirates for 2,150 USD, which was about 207 thousand rubles at the Central Bank of Russia exchange rate on September 22. He observed that there were more than 30 bidders active that morning.
Another buyer recounted that they purchased an iPhone 15 Pro from the E-Max store in Dubai Mall on that day. The store had no queue, but some items were rejected, so the buyer accepted available options. The price was around 155 thousand rubles for a 128 GB model and roughly 192 thousand rubles for a 512 GB variant. The buyer also described a perceived guarantee policy in place and noted that store staff handled devices with less care during demonstrations. They added that Apple itself does not stock the phones directly, and entry into the store is by appointment only, with the experience described as not permitting casual browsing or in-store exploration.
A third account, provided by Marina, explained that the iPhone 15 Pro was reserved through Apple’s official website on September 15, the launch day for pre-orders. The order included delivery to a Dubai residence, with prior notice that a UAE phone number and an Emirati ID would be required to receive the package. The delivery date was set for September 22, and the process of pre-ordering proved straightforward, with punctual delivery confirmed.
On September 22, crowds gathered at Dubai Mall to purchase the new iPhone 15 lineup, with hundreds waiting over two days. When sales began, some attempts were made to force entry through the entrance, and a clash ensued between security personnel trying to prevent a stampede inside the shopping center.
The iPhone 15 series was first unveiled on September 12, and the official global sales launch occurred on Friday, September 22. While Apple devices have not been officially supplied to Russia since February 2022, Russian retailers began listing smartphones for order. In related coverage, earlier reports noted the presence of concealed symbols inside iPhone 15 boxes aimed at counterfeiting deterrence.