Apple's yearly release of new iterations of its iPhones always begs the question, especially for its user base: Is it time for an upgrade?
The California-based company launched four devices – iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max – on Tuesday, which all come with arguably some of the most notable upgrades in years.
We look at some of the biggest reasons why you should make that upgrade – or make the jump from Android (or any other phone you might still be using now).
Lightest and toughest
This particularly holds true for the iPhone 15 Pro models: Apple is now using aerospace-grade titanium – similar to what is used on spacecraft – on their high-end models, which the company said will make the devices the lightest and toughest in the Pro line.
That, in addition to Apple's ceramic shield up front and “the toughest back glass in a smartphone”, is a welcome proposition. We need everything to protect the intricate technology within the device, right?
The company's iPhones are built tough but are not indestructible. Having this safety net will surely help – especially for those of us who are clumsy. And don't forget about the brushed finish on the titanium iPhones.
USB-C solves cable-hunting problems
How many times have you scrambled to find a Lightning cable to no avail? USB-C solves that.
Now that the iPhone 15 uses USB-C ports, one thing is clear: As the dominant connector of choice in modern devices, USB-C eliminates this pain.
This is also all so true when it comes to Apple's ecosystem. The company has been using USB-C on its iPads and Macs for several years now, so the switch makes sense, not to mention inevitable.
Apple's proprietary Lightning had a good run. But USB-C is faster, in terms of data transfer and charging speeds, and that aligns with Apple's reputation of being speedy. Think of its AirDrop transfer technology and, more accurately, Thunderbolt on Macs.
All told, USB-C means there will not be any need to carry around more than one cable.
Across-the-board features
Aside from making USB-C standard, the entire iPhone 15 line-up shares two key common features.
One is Dynamic Island, the shape-shifting digital space on top that shows alerts and statuses, and which replaced the notch in last year's iPhone 14 Pro models.
The second is a 48-megapixel main sensor on the dual-lens camera of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, and the triple-lens camera on the Pro models.
To put it simply, no one is being left behind on the iPhone 15 – no matter which model you choose.
Finally, a periscope lens
The top-end iPhone 15 Pro Max now come with the long-rumoured periscope camera, giving it 5x optical zoom.
A periscope lens is used as a set-up that allows greater amounts of optical zoom. This uses the hardware to magnify an image in better quality without blurring, as opposed to digital zoom, which relies on software.
This is good news when you are in a tough spot and struggling to get a good angle. It also solves one of smartphone photography's biggest headaches.
Gaming
While gaming has been on iPhones for a long time, Apple's serious push into the sector really started when it launched Apple Arcade in 2019, adding yet another component into its key services division.
Since then, Apple has added more building blocks into its gaming repertoire, and the latest one on the iPhone 15 is a major one, having teamed up with big gaming companies Capcom and Ubisoft to bring the likes of Resident Evil and Assassin's Creed to its flagship device.
These are graphics-heavy and, simply put, require a lot of power to run. Sure, there are already games of this level that are already on iPhones but the mere fact that they will be released on the iPhone 15 Pro signifies what kind of power the new devices have – and the confidence Apple has in them.
Prices
While it was reported that the Pro variants would come with a price increase, Apple decided to keep their prices in line with those of predecessors – and that is good news.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come in 128 gigabyte, 256GB and 512GB versions that cost Dh3,399, Dh3,799 and Dh4,649, respectively, for the former and Dh3,799, Dh4,199 and Dh5,049, respectively for the latter.
Meanwhile, iPhone 15 Pro prices are Dh4,299 for the 128GB model, Dh4,699 for the 256GB model, Dh5,549 for the 512GB model and Dh6,399 for the one-terabyte model.
Things change with the iPhone 15 Pro Max: It no longer has a 128GB variant, so it now starts at Dh5,099 for 256GB, with the 512GB and 1TB models priced at Dh5,949 and Dh6,799, respectively.
Can't wait? UAE prices can give you a good deal
The prices of iPhones vary around the world, depending on duties and other import costs.
The UAE is part of the first wave of 40 countries that will catch its first glimpse of the new iPhone 15 on September 22. And its pricing can be attractive for those who cannot wait, with iPhone prices in the Emirates among the most attractive worldwide, according to research from bne Intellinews.
The prices of the new devices start at Dh3,399 for the base iPhone 15 and go up at Dh6,799 for the 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Compared with Turkey, where iPhones are most expensive, this translates to about Dh6,800 and Dh12,670, according to Apple's local website there.
People from two of the largest expatriate populations in the UAE – India and Philippines – may also want to consider buying in the UAE.
In India, those prices are equivalent to a comparable Dh3,540, but then they go up at about Dh8,850. In the Philippines, they would be about Dh3,700 and Dh7,000, respectively.
In previous iPhone launches, a good number of people who have queued outside UAE Apple Stores come from other countries for these two reasons.
So, we won't be surprised if they will, once again, head over here to become the first and save a good sum.
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
SPECS
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
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More from Mohammed Alardhi
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
RESULTS
6.30pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Final Song, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
Winner Almanaara, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Grand Argentier, Brett Doyle, Doug Watson.
8.15pm Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Major Partnership, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008
Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Semi-final fixtures
Portugal v Chile, 7pm, today
Germany v Mexico, 7pm, tomorrow
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
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