MOSCOW, Sept 20 (Reuters) - 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.

Russia legalised so-called "grey" or "parallel" imports to

allow goods to enter the country without the brands' permission

after Western companies such as iPhone maker Apple ( AAPL )

imposed export bans in 2022 in response to the war in Ukraine.

Lyudmila Semushina, a spokesperson for electronics retailer

restore:, said the iPhones going on sale this month had arrived

in Russia from "all over", without naming specific countries.

Countries that have not imposed sanctions against Moscow,

such as Turkey, China, India, Kazakhstan and other former Soviet

states, have seen sharp increases in trade with Russia since the

conflict began.

"Comparing with last year's pre-order, (demand) is 15%

higher than pre-orders were for the iPhone 15," Semushina said.

Apple ( AAPL ) did not immediately respond to a request for

comment on sales and pricing of the new model in Russia.

Pre-orders were launched on Sept. 10 and physical sales are

expected to start next week, retailers said, though Russians

will have to stomach higher prices.

Electronics retailer M.Video said prices would start at

112,999 roubles ($1,225) for the 128GB iPhone 16, over $400 more

expensive than the U.S. price of $799. The 1TB iPhone Pro Max

was available for pre-order in Russia for 249,999 roubles

($2,710), compared to the U.S. price of $1,599.

When big brands left Russia and the switch was made to

parallel imports, Semushina said her company stopped making

official calculations on the premium Russian consumers pay.

"There is an official retailer's price, there are prices of

grey sellers - those who bring their hardware in suitcases - so

prices may vary," she said.

She said the company had not had any contact with Apple ( AAPL )

since the conflict began. Apart from suspending all product

sales in Russia in March 2022, the tech giant has also halted

services like ApplePay.