Buyers from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan fly to Dubai for Apple Duo launch
By Dubai Currents Staff2 min read
International buyers from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan travelled to Dubai to be among the first to purchase Apple’s new foldable phone, the Apple Duo, at Dubai Mall on 23 October 2026.
Uzbek businessman stocks up for home market
Muhammad Ismailov, a shop owner from Uzbekistan, flew to Dubai with his brothers on Wednesday 21 October to collect seven Apple Duo devices. He plans to return to Uzbekistan in three or four days. The trip, including flights and accommodation, will cost him about Dh8,000.
“I have a phone shop in Uzbekistan, so I will take the seven devices back and sell them there,” Ismailov said. “We came specifically looking for these phones because there is already a lot of interest in Apple Duo.”
Russian mother and son among early adopters
Saimon travelled from Russia with his mother and arrived in Dubai the day before the launch. They were waiting for their collection slot and planned to buy four phones before returning to Russia within days. Saimon said the trip was motivated by the chance to get the device early rather than wait for it to reach his home country.
“My mother and I came from Russia to Dubai mainly to buy Apple Duo,” Saimon said. “We are waiting for our slot now and plan to buy four phones today. I am excited to be among the first people from Russia to use it. It is Apple’s first foldable phone, so I wanted to get it as soon as possible.”
Kazakh trader sees tenfold profit; family man shows off via video call
Shaukath, from Kazakhstan, also made the trip for business. He booked four Apple Duo phones on the first day and was still looking for more devices. His flight and stay in the UAE cost around Dh3,500. “I managed to book four, but I am still looking for more because demand back home is strong,” he said. “I expect to make a profit that could be around 10 times what I spent on travel and staying here. That is why coming to Dubai for the launch was worth it.”
Not all buyers were purchasing for resale. Abdullah, another buyer from Uzbekistan, collected three Apple Duo devices for family members. At the mall, he was on a video call, holding up the phones for his brother and cousin to see. “They are very excited, so I wanted to show them the phones straight away,” Abdullah said. “They wanted to see Apple’s new foldable phone as soon as possible, and I am happy that I could get them for them.”
Abdullah arrived in Dubai the previous day and said he would return to Uzbekistan in two days with the devices.
The launch attracted visitors from outside the UAE for a variety of reasons, from shop owners seeking stock to family members showing off the phones to relatives back home. All had travelled for the same advantage: an early chance to get the Apple Duo before taking it beyond the UAE.
