UAE telcos launch iPhone 5 packages

Sunday, 9 December 2012 12:03 PM

The UAE’s mobile operators have launched the pre-paid and post-paid packages for the iPhone 5 ahead of its official release on December 14.

Etisalat and du said customers are able to pre-order the iPhone 5 from December 9, starting at AED2,749 (US$748.40) for the 16GB model.

Etisalat has priced its 32GB and 64GB models at AED3,149 and AED3,549 while du customers are able to purchase 32GB and 64GB models at AED3,199 and AED3,599, respectively.

While both operators are offering the device at similar price points, UAE users will be charged significantly more than US consumers. A 16GB model on the US Apple website is available for US$649 before tax, US$99.40 less than the UAE.

Apple last week confirmed that iPhone 5 will be available in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain from December 14 as part of its fastest international roll-out for the device so far.

Apple said it sold more than 5m units of its iPhone 5 during the first three days of its release, surpassing a record set last year by the previous model.

The device has since restored Apple to the top smartphone spot in the US, edging out handsets based on Google’s Android software. Apple’s iOS has a 48.1 percent share of US smartphone sales while Android has 46.7 percent, according to research firm Kantar World Panel.

But not everyone has been impressed with the new phone, which has a larger, four-inch screen and supports faster 4G mobile networks. Some users have criticised its new maps feature for a number of glitches including missing information and a lack of features.

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Posted by: Ataa Sunday, 9 December 2012 5:09 PM[UAE] - AE

Tim Cook ruined Apple by releasing poor software and hardware. now there are much better phones available in the market that iphone cannot compete with them. check Galaxy note 2 and Galaxy S3 specs and features. iPhone 5 is like 3 years old hardware in beautiful shell! Thank you Tim Cook for ruining a great company.

Posted by: kingkaiser Monday, 10 December 2012 5:45 PM[UAE] - UAE

Sezhian, i assure you that the Android competitors are real challengers. This is the first year that we've seen Apple needing to play catch up since the iphone was launched. From customizeable keyboards, to LTE connections, to upgradable storage, to innovation (thanks to Google), Android phones are starting to get an edge on the iPhone.

I agree that Samsung's look isnt as polished as Apple, but frankly, put a cover on your phone (as I have done with every Apple device i ever owned), and it makes no difference.

In an electronic device, "nice features" tend to be king.

Posted by: sezhian Monday, 10 December 2012 12:35 PM[UAE] - UAE

Nope ! Iphone5 is still in the top review ratings. The only thing apple hasnt delivered is groundbreaking things people was expecting.Except Apple Maps all others are fine.
Galaxy series is like Hyundai cheap plastic with nice features

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Posted by: Anon Sunday, 9 December 2012 4:59 PM[UAE] - UAE

Unfortunately the Etisalat site has been crashed for more than three hours at the time of writing this, so actually nooone has been able to pre-register during that time. I am sure you are not suprised!

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