The launch of new iPhones does not generate excitement in the UAE

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Many innovations on smartphones in recent years have come at the top of brands other than Apple, according to an industry expert

On Friday, people are waiting in front of the Apple Store at the Dubai Mall. About 200 Apple fans, including pre-ordered customers and walk-in customers, lined up in front of the store Friday to be among the first to get their hands on the most expensive phones on the market.

Dubai: The launch of the two new iPhones – Apple's XS and XS Max – and Apple Watch Series 4 by Apple at its Dubai Mall, Friday, September 21, 2018, did not spark the same excitement as the launch of the iPhone X last year in the United Arab Emirates.

This time, only about 200 Apple fans, including pre-ordered customers and walk-in customers, lined up in front of the store on Friday to be among the first to get their hands on the phones the more expensive market.

Last year, about 500 people lined up in front of the store for the launch of the iPhone X.

The XS 64GB version of 5.8 inches costs 4,228 dirhams, while the 256GB version costs 4,859 Dh and 512 GB to 5,709 Dh.

The 6.5-inch XS Max 64GB version costs MAD4,648 while the 256GB version costs TND 5,279 and 512GB at MAD6,129.

The Apple Watch Series 4 GPS version with aluminum case is priced at 1,599 dirhams, while the GPS and cellular version (aluminum case) costs 1,999 dirhams. The steel case with the GPS and cellular version is priced at 2,799 Dh and 3,199 Dh, while the aluminum version of the aluminum case with GPS and cellular costs 1,999 Dh.

The drop in attendance was anticipated because the new iPhones have not experienced a major revolutionary revolution compared to the iPhone X.

Nabila Popal, senior research director at International Data Corporation, said Gulf News We can not deny that new iPhones are exceptional phones with many technological improvements over their predecessors.

However, are phones an innovative revolution that will change the world of smartphones?

In the words of the average consumer and the chains, she said "not really".

Just an update

"Almost all of the flagship launches of all brands in recent years, whether Samsung's Note 9 or iPhone XS this year, each model seems to be a slight improvement over the last, as opposed to a revolution totally innovative. leaving hungry consumers for the "next big thing" in smartphones, "she said.

"So I do not think that the innovation of his phones has been the decisive factor in attracting consumers to Apple phones. Everyone knows that many innovations in the field of smartphones in recent years have come top of brands other than Apple trying to stand out in the industry, "she said.

Even with the big size of the screen, she said that Apple has arrived at the party late.

"Despite this, Apple continues to generate a strong market share with a 22.3 percent market share in the UAE in the second quarter of this year. I think this is mainly due to brand loyalty and the prestigious brand image that none other than Apple has in the region, and perhaps even around the world, "she said. declared.

In addition, she said that Apple's share jumped in the fourth quarter and the first quarter of next year, thanks to the loyal consumer base ready to upgrade its device.

Market reaction

However, she said that it would be interesting to see how the current market reacts to high-priced products, while the market is experiencing a significant decline in consumer spending.

"Retailers or operators offering monthly installment plans will likely be more successful in selling these high-priced phones," she said.

According to Digitimes Research, the three new iPhones are expected to exceed 85 million units in the second half of 2018, while total shipments, including legacy iPhones, are expected to reach 127 million units in the second half.

iPhone XR

The third entry-level model – XR – will be available from October 26th, the pre-order will start on October 19th.

Although phones have two SIM card options (nano SIM and eSIM), eSIM will not be available in the UAE in the near future, but it will only be available for ETISALAT network watches.

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows users to activate a cellular plan from an operator without having to use a physical SIM card.

According to the Apple website, countries such as Austria, Hungary, Canada, India, Croatia, Spain, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States support the eSIM system.

Not all operators support eSIM

"ESIM will be available later this year through a software update. The use of eSIM requires a wireless service plan (which may include restrictions on service provider switching and roaming even after the contract expires). All operators do not support the eSIM. The use of eSIM in the iPhone can be disabled when buying from some operators, "said the Apple website.

Roberta Cozza, research director at Gartner, told Gulf News that as Chinese and other Android devices become more and more successful in Asian markets, there is a threat to Apple.

She said that Apple was trying to extract more value from its installed base of users and that is why they are stronger on services and content because it will be the source of revenue future.

"This is no longer the game of specs because most Chinese players are fighting in the spec space and the challenge for Samsung to be an ecosystem player is also there," she said.

Good upgrades

Despite being the year of the product "S" for Apple, she said that Apple has released good updates.

"Today, in the smartphone market, you can not expect a revolution and it will only be gradual. It's value and evolution rather than revolution, "she said.

They have to do it eventually with larger screens to compete with other Chinese players, she added, and added that even though the 5.8-inch iPhone was a solid and powerful device, iPhone-in 8 more.

She said the new iPhones will attract more regional markets that are keen to have bigger screens.

The iPhone XR, more affordable and smarter, will attract more Asian markets, especially China, she added.

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