Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Dubai Pair Buy 36 iPhones After Overnight Apple Store Camp
Two men in Dubai wanted to collect many new iPhones as soon as sales began.
They reportedly booked 36 phones costing about ₹1 crore in total.
They spent the night in the parking lot at Dubai Mall.
They said they lived nearby but worried they might oversleep at home.
The men arrived at the store around 6 in the morning.
They collected 14 phones from that store.
They planned to collect the remaining phones from another mall.
They said some phones were ordered by friends and customers in India.
They also said another 40 phones were booked for collection the next day.
Dubai residents Raihan and Muhammed Shabeeb reportedly booked or bought 36 iPhones worth about Dh400,000, nearly ₹1 crore.
The pair spent the night in Dubai Mall’s parking lot to avoid missing their collection slot.
They said they lived nearby but feared oversleeping before the early-morning pickup.
They collected 14 phones from the Dubai Mall store and planned to collect the rest from Mall of the Emirates.
They said they have purchased iPhones for 14 years, including for friends and customers in India, and had booked another 40 for the following day.
- Who
- Dubai residents Raihan and Muhammed Shabeeb.
- What
- They reportedly booked or bought 36 iPhones worth approximately Dh400,000, or nearly ₹1 crore.
- When
- During the launch of Apple’s latest iPhone models; another 40 phones were reportedly booked for the following day.
- Where
- At Apple stores in Dubai, including Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates.
- Why
- They said they wanted to fulfill orders from friends and customers, including people in India, and avoid missing their collection slot.
Launch Enthusiasts
Queue Critics
Why people wait and buy multiple phones
Launch Enthusiasts
Supporters say customers want to experience the latest technology early, while some purchases are made for friends, family, or customers.
Queue Critics
Critics questioned why people would sacrifice sleep and spend hours waiting in queues for newly launched smartphones.
The Dubai purchase
Launch Enthusiasts
The buyers said they had orders from friends and customers, including people in India, explaining the unusually large purchase.
Queue Critics
The scale of the purchase drew online attention and prompted questions about the intensity of consumer excitement around iPhone launches.
- Buyers
- Raihan and Muhammed Shabeeb
- Reported quantity
- 36 iPhones
- Reported value
- Approximately Dh400,000, or nearly ₹1 crore
- Overnight wait
- The pair spent the night in Dubai Mall’s parking lot
- Collection details
- They picked up 14 phones from the Dubai Mall store and planned to collect the rest from Mall of the Emirates
- Purchase history
- They said they have been purchasing iPhones for 14 years
- Additional booking
- Another 40 phones were reportedly booked for collection the following day
