New iPhone 18 Models Arrive in Israel Amid High Demand

The latest iPhone 18 models officially launched in Israel this morning, with early purchasers receiving their devices. Israel Post conducted a special distribution operation, delivering approximately 6,000 units to customers' homes before sunrise. Logistics director Udi Sharon stated that the early delivery was organized to handle large volumes for customers of Cellcom, Pelephone, and Partner.

In retail stores, the iPhone 18 lineup is available, excluding the foldable Duo model, which is slated for an early pre-sale on October 16 and a store launch on October 23. Cellular carriers and retailers are reporting higher-than-expected demand during the initial pre-sale phase, with limited initial stock, a common occurrence for iPhone launches in Israel.

Major retailers like iDigital, Cellcom, Pelephone, Partner, and Dynamica are offering the new iPhones, with availability varying by network and stock levels. Mahsanei Hashmal received hundreds of devices, allocating half of the initial stock to 30 branches nationwide for immediate purchase, subject to availability.

Data from the pre-sale indicates the Pro Max model was the most sought-after, with the Burgundy color being the top choice. Notably, 65% of transactions included a trade-in of an older device, and 85% of purchases were financed with over 18 installments. Geographic purchasing trends show Eilat leading with 26% of pre-sales, followed by Tel Aviv and the central region (21%), Netanya and the Sharon (18%), Haifa and the Krayot (16%), the North (13%), and other areas (6%).

Pricing for the iPhone 18 varies. For example, the iPhone 18 Pro 256GB is priced at 5,029 NIS at Mahsanei Hashmal and 5,399 NIS at iStore and Pelephone. The iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB is listed at 5,679 NIS at Mahsanei Hashmal, 5,899 NIS at iStore, and 5,999 NIS at Pelephone. Trade-in deals are also significant, with iDigital offering an upgrade from an iPhone 17 Pro 256GB to an iPhone 18 Pro 256GB for 2,799 NIS, including the trade-in value.