BERLIN // Consumers in the UAE waiting for the iPhone 6 will get a glimpse of a host of other new smartphones and gadgets this week as the world's biggest electronics companies aim to impress at IFA Berlin.
Sony on Wednesday showcased in Germany its new range of devices, which include the Xperia Z3 Dual flagship phone, the Xperia Z3 Compact and the Xperia Z3 tablet. It also introduced a fresh range of smartwear.
The new Xperia technology allows PlayStation 4 owners to connect their console with their smartphone or tablet with Remote Play, meaning they can continue playing without using a television.
Apple, meanwhile, has been creating a buzz about Tuesday, when it is expected to unveil the highly anticipated latest version of its flagship phone in California.
It was reported in June that Apple planned to start mass production on two smartphones with larger screens, in response to devices from rivals such as Samsung and HTC. The prospect of new products recently propelled Apple's share price to an all-time high.
“The world, and the whole mobile phone industry, is waiting anxiously to see the launch of the iPhone 6 and its features – as so far they have been just speculation,” said Nabila Popal, the research manager for handsets and display solutions at International Data Corporation MEA.
"With the GCC countries having many avid fans of Apple's iPhone since its first launch, we are eager to see how the market will respond and how it will shake things up in terms of market share."
Apple’s share of the smartphone market in the Middle East grew from 7 per cent in 2012 to 12 per cent last year, according to data from IDC.
This was significantly behind Samsung, which claimed 48 per cent of the smartphone market in 2012 and 58 per cent last year.
The South Korean company last night unveiled its new large-screen Galaxy Note 4 device in Berlin.
IDC data at the end of the second quarter showed that Samsung had lost 7 per cent of its global market share year-on-year.
“Samsung has already tried to address some of its fans’ concerns about the quality of its phones, with new models being of superior metal quality,” Ms Popal said.
“However, the key question that will remain is will the iPhone 6 be able to help Apple maintain its growth in market share with such a large chunk being consumed – and increasingly so – by the influx of budget smartphones?”
She added that the Middle East in particular was shifting even faster than predicted towards smartphones, with those priced under US$200 making up 40 per cent of the Middle East and Africa market.
The UAE is set to benefit from the global launches of products announced at IFA Berlin with Gitex Shopper taking place at the end of this month in Dubai.
Omar Kassim, the founder of the UAE online electronics retailer JadoPado, said he has had encouraging feedback on the potential arrival of the iPhone 6, having listed the item on the website as “coming soon”.
“There is a portion of the market that tends to prefer the iOS devices and will have held off from purchasing anything else until the iPhone 6 comes out. I think we will see those who opted for larger-screen phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 switch back.
“We are starting to see a change where Samsung is losing market share and the likes of Lenovo and Huawei are gaining.”
The IFA Berlin consumer electronics show runs until Wednesday and will include up to 1,500 exhibitors.
ioxborrow@thenational.ae
