On September 25, 2026, official sales of the new iPhone 18 smartphone lineup began in Ukraine. Demand for the new devices has proved staggering: a significant portion of the stock was sold out even at the pre-order stage, according to leading Ukrainian retailers.
Surging Demand and Pricing for the New Models
Representatives of major electronics retail chains confirm that the first official batch of gadgets has been fully allocated among buyers. According to Citrus CEO Artem Shevchenko, the company gathered over 7,000 pre-orders. COMFY also noted unprecedented interest in the new lineup. The price for the iPhone 18 Pro with 256 GB of storage starts at 77,999 hryvnias, while the top-tier iPhone 18 Pro Max ranges from 84,999 hryvnias for the base version to 169,999 hryvnias for the 2 TB storage modification. The absolute bestseller has been the 256 GB iPhone 18 Pro Max in the new exclusive Burgundy color.Customs Innovations and IMEI Verification
The main intrigue of the sales launch was passing customs clearance under the new rules that came into effect on September 4, 2026. Under the regulations, importers are required to submit IMEI data for every imported smartphone. General Manager of ASBIS-Ukraine Ivan Pavlik confirmed that authorized shipments passed customs routinely without delays. To verify device legitimacy, buyers can use the official portal of the State Customs Service by entering the gadget's unique IMEI code.Financial Tools and Combating Grey Imports
To ease the financial burden on buyers, retailers launched Trade-in trade-in programs, as well as extended financial options, including installments of up to 25 payments. Against the backdrop of the official launch, the grey market has predictably activated. Experts remind buyers of the importance of purchasing certified equipment, as buying devices without official customs clearance does not guarantee full support and correct service operation.
