Pre-order demand in Russia for the new iPhone is 15% higher than for its predecessor, one reseller told Reuters on Friday, even though it is at least 50% more expensive than in the West.

Despite the iPhone 16 range being priced far higher than in the West, consumers in Russia are keen to secure the latest model of iPhone, with preorders up 15% year-on-year.

Demand for the new iPhone in Russia is 15% higher compared to its predecessor, even though prices are at least 50% more than in Western markets. Following the 2022 export bans by companies like Apple,

Russia's leading electronics retailer M.Video-Eldorado and mobile network operator MTS both claimed on Thursday to be the first in Russia to unveil Apple's new iPhone 16. M.Video said phone deliveries would begin from next week.

Retailers in Russia have begun pre-sales of Apple's (AAPL) new iPhone 16 models, circumventing the company's export ban to the country.