iPhone 17 vs Apple Shares : Every September, millions of people rush to buy the latest iPhone. This year, it’s the iPhone 17, starting at \$999 (Dh3,670). The excitement is real—queues outside Apple Stores, unboxing videos flooding YouTube, and social media flexing at its peak.

But here’s the question most people don’t stop to ask: what if you had skipped buying every new iPhone and invested that money in Apple shares instead?

The answer might sting a little, because the numbers are staggering.

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From \$16 to \$867: Apple Stock’s Incredible Journey

Let’s rewind to 2007. Apple launched the very first iPhone for \$499 (Dh1,830). At the same time, Apple shares were trading at just \$4.36 (Dh16) each.

Now imagine this: instead of buying that first iPhone, you spent the same \$499 on Apple stock. That would have got you around 114 shares back then.

Fast forward to September 2025. Apple’s stock is now hovering at \$236 (Dh867) per share. Those 114 shares would now be worth a jaw-dropping \$26,904 (Dh98,600).

That’s enough to cover a year of international school fees, a brand-new car, or even a luxury vacation. Meanwhile, your original iPhone 1? Unless you kept it sealed in its box, it’s practically worthless today—just a collector’s nostalgia piece.

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iPhone Prices Keep Climbing

Apple has never been shy about raising iPhone prices. And year after year, loyal fans keep paying. Here’s a quick look at how the iPhone’s price tag has changed over the years:

• 2007: iPhone – \$499 (Dh1,830)
• 2014: iPhone 6 – \$649 (Dh2,385)
• 2017: iPhone X – \$999 (Dh3,670)
• 2024: iPhone 16 – \$799 (Dh2,935)
• 2025: iPhone 17 – \$999 (Dh3,670)

Every upgrade followed the same story—excitement, unboxing, showing it off… and then resale value dropping faster than your battery on a long flight.

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Apple Shares Quietly Made Millionaires

While customers splurged on shiny new iPhones, Apple’s shareholders were quietly cashing in. The company executed two major stock splits—a 7-for-1 split in 2014 and a 4-for-1 split in 2020. That means anyone holding shares from the early days suddenly had their stockpile multiply without paying extra.

Those who invested instead of spending on each new iPhone didn’t just save—they built wealth. A one-time \$499 investment in Apple shares in 2007 would now be worth nearly Dh100,000.

That’s more than enough for multiple iPhones every year—or an overseas holiday every summer.

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Spending vs. Investing: What’s Smarter?

This isn’t about shaming anyone for buying the iPhone 17. After all, smartphones have become essential—WhatsApp, mobile banking, QR code scanning, digital payments, selfies, and video calls are part of everyday life.

But it does highlight the crucial difference between spending and investing:

• Buying an iPhone gives you utility, status, and instant gratification—but it loses value fast.
• Buying Apple stock gives you ownership in one of the most valuable companies in the world—and it grows in value over time.

One satisfies a short-term desire. The other builds long-term wealth.

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What About the UAE Consumer?

In the UAE, where Apple has a huge fan base, this lesson feels even more relevant. With the iPhone 17 now available in stores across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, buyers face a real choice: spend on the phone or invest in the stock.

That same Dh3,670 you drop on an iPhone today could be put into Apple shares instead. If history repeats itself, that investment could grow into five or even six figures in the future.

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The Psychology of Buying iPhones

Why do people keep buying new iPhones despite the math? Simple: instant gratification. There’s a social currency attached to owning the latest iPhone. Unboxing it gives you a rush, and showing it off makes you feel part of an exclusive club.

Investing, on the other hand, requires patience. It’s not as fun as peeling off that protective film on a new iPhone screen. But while the iPhone loses half its value in two years, Apple shares have proven to multiply in the long run.

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Apple’s Market Power : iPhone 17 vs Apple shares

Apple isn’t just a phone company—it’s an empire. From iPads and MacBooks to Apple Watch, AirPods, and its ever-growing services business (think iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple TV+), the company’s revenue streams keep expanding.

That’s why Apple shares have consistently gone up. The brand loyalty, the innovation cycle, and the massive global user base make Apple stock a solid long-term bet. Owning a piece of the company has proven far more rewarding than owning its latest gadget.

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Imagine This Scenario

If you had skipped buying a new iPhone every two years and invested that money in Apple shares instead, your portfolio today would likely be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Meanwhile, the stack of old iPhones in your drawer? Maybe worth a few hundred bucks at a recycling center.

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iPhone 17: Worth It or Not?

The iPhone 17 is undeniably one of the most advanced smartphones in the world. It brings cutting-edge cameras, a blazing-fast A19 chip, a Super Retina XDR display with 3,000 nits brightness, and the prestige of owning Apple’s latest flagship.

But when compared to Apple shares, the iPhone is a depreciating asset. The stock, meanwhile, has the power to generate wealth that can buy you not one, but several future iPhones without hurting your wallet.

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Final Takeaway

So, what’s smarter: buying the iPhone 17 or investing in Apple shares? The answer depends on what you value more:

• If you want status, utility, and instant gratification, go for the iPhone 17.
• If you want long-term wealth and financial freedom, buy Apple shares.

The next time you walk past the glowing Apple Store, remember: the smartest Apple purchase might not be inside the store—it might be on the stock ticker outside.

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Bottom line: The iPhone 17 will make you look good today. Apple shares could make you rich tomorrow. The choice is yours.

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