{
  "id": 8181839,
  "title": "iPhone fever returns: Serpentine queues form at Dubai Mall",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/iphone-fever-returns-serpentine-queues-form-at-dubai-mall",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-18T04:39:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/technology/iphone-fever-returns-serpentine-queues-form-at-dubai-mall-1.500679045"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: On Friday, the glass doors of Apple Dubai Mall buzzed with excitement as shoppers gathered in a long line, eagerly awaiting the release of Apple's newest iPhones, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The queue began forming outside the store as early as 7am, with customers patiently waiting for the official launch scheduled for September 18. This was not unlike Apple launches in the past, where Dubai Mall has become a hub for the first sales of the latest models.\n\nPre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max opened in the UAE at 4pm on September 12, with some configurations selling out within mere minutes. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Dh5,099, while the Pro Max is priced at Dh5,499. Despite the official price, some Dubai buyers were reportedly willing to pay up to Dh1,500 extra to be among the first to own the new devices.\n\nThe Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro Max has emerged as the most sought-after colour, with retailers reporting strong demand for this signature shade. The new launch, like previous iPhone releases, has drawn crowds who treat the event as an annual ritual, willing to arrive early and join the line to secure their place among the first UAE residents to own the latest iPhones.",
  "summary": "Dubai: The glass doors of Apple Dubai Mall opened to a familiar sound on Friday morning — the murmur of excited shoppers, footsteps shuffling forward and the constant chatter of customers waiting for their turn to get their hands on Apple’s newest iPhones. Outside the store, the queue stretched in a long, winding line as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max officially went on sale in the UAE…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "'We got here at 3am': Dubai shoppers spend the night waiting for iPhone 18 Pro Max",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/we-got-here-at-3am-dubai-shoppers-spend-the-night-waiting-for-iphone",
        "published": "2026-09-18T04:52:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}