iPhone 14 launch in UAE: Will prices of second-hand older models drop?

iPhone 14 launch in UAE: Will prices of second-hand older models drop?

Even iPhones from seven years ago are still being sold at shops in Sharjah and Dubai

Published: Tue 13 Sep 2022, 7:00 AM

The latest iPhone series is already on its way to the UAE — yet many residents are still buying pre-owned older models.

Retailers in Sharjah and Dubai said consumers are purchasing not just Apple's iPhone 13 and 12, but also those launched six to seven years ago.

“Since many residents cannot afford newer and costlier models, they opt to go for older models to enjoy the Apple brand,” said Gul Ahmed, an electronics retailer in Sharjah.

Some shops are also selling imported models that come with FaceTime — plus other features like dual SIM — at a much higher price of around Dh4,400.

“Apple’s mobile phones are always in demand. When the iPhone 13 series was launched, the previous models were doing very well. Even the iPhone 5 handsets are also being sold in the market and it has a decent demand. We are selling iPhone 13 and 12 models frequently. iPhones with FaceTime are in demand, too," says Aftab Ahmed, a retailer at Sharjah’s Mobile Round Market.

Another seller, Tariq, said people still buy 6 to 7-year-old iPhones. “We recently sold the 2015