Dubai Apple fans queue for hours for new iPhone XS, but is it worth the wait?


Alkesh Sharma
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Enthusiasm was at peak in the Dubai Mall on Friday morning, with Apple’s die-hard fans waiting patiently in queues for hours outside its store. At 8am doors opened and finally it was a new iPhone day for many in the UAE.

For dozens of iPhone customers, who camped outside the Apple’s store to grab their favourite smartphone right on launch date, it was eventually a rewarding moment.

“Finally Apple day is upon us. I waited the whole year for a new September to hear fresh announcements from Apple," said Petro Lyebov, a freelance photographer from Ukraine, who waited in the queue for more than 10 hours.

"Nothing could deter me from standing in a queue for some hours to hold my favourite tiny machine in my hands.”

However, zeal was not the same as the last year, when there were comparatively longer queues seen outside the Apple shop. Tech analysts say this year has more emphasis on hardware rather than design, leading to a dip in enthusiasm. Thought they expect demand will gradually pick up.

After a global launch in California, Apple’s new products iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4 made their debut in Dubai on Friday morning.

“Sacrificing one night’s sleep for a new iPhone is certainly not a huge price. In fact now I am going to have many more sleepless nights as I will be exploring the innovative marvels of my new XS,” Rishab Jain, a businessman, who had specially flown from India to Dubai to avoid extra taxes in his home country.

According to Dubai mall’s security officials, people started gathering outside the Apple store from Thursday evening and queues started building up late in the night. Apple fans had come equipped with books, easy bites and necessary toiletries to ensure a hassle-free wait.

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Read more:

Apple iPhone XS and XS Max launch in Dubai: wait is over as fans get hands on new products

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“I stood in the queue since 3am but I am still full of energy and don’t feel any kind of fatigue because of a sleepless night. It is surely the Apple’s magic,” said Mohammed Kadir, a Pakistani UAE resident.

Apple has introduced the iPhone XS - an advanced version of the iPhone X with a 5.8-inch screen, faster processor, and better camera. It is selling from Dh4,229.

The Apple iPhone XS and XS Max on display at the Apple Store in Dubai Mall. Alkesh Sharma / The National
The Apple iPhone XS and XS Max on display at the Apple Store in Dubai Mall. Alkesh Sharma / The National

Also on sale from today is the iPhone XS Max - a bigger version of the iPhone XS with a 6.5-inch screen and the higher price of Dh4,649. Both are available in 64, 256 and 512GB capacity.

“This is the time to gain some points over your cousins, who are staying in different parts of the world. It’s always a special feeling to be the first in the family to hold the Apple’s product. I am soon going to upload plenty of selfies with my new iPhone XS on my social media account,” said Asher Begashvili, a marketing executive from Azerbaijan, who is working with a perfumes company in Dubai.

The Apple Watch 4 series. Alkesh Sharma / The National
The Apple Watch 4 series. Alkesh Sharma / The National

The Apple Watch Series 4, which is about 30 per cent bigger than current models and includes more health features, is also available for sale.

“It seems as if I have won some battle. I am a big fan of large screens so I have bought iPhone XS Max that comes with a 6.5-inch display. It looks like the most durable front glass ever in a smartphone,” said Bobby Mathews, a graphic designer from Sharjah.

Mohammed Fahadi, who had driven from Muscat to Dubai with friends, said: “I am not here to buy a new iPhone, I can wait for it. But still I am camping in Dubai Mall since 6am to see the enthusiasm of Dubai. But queues are not that long as I had expected.”

Apple has also revealed the iPhone XR, but pre-orders for that don't start until October 19 ahead of an October 26 release in the UAE. The device is a lower cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch LCD screen and it comes in six colour choices. It's lower price point of Dh3,179 is likely to help Apple gain a broader market share.

It’s always nice to be No 1, says Apple’s first Dubai buyer

For Apple fans, distance does not matter. They just want to be the first users of cutting-edge technology.

The Mikheev brothers had specially flown from Russia to the UAE to buy new iPhones. They were the first in the queue at Dubai Mall.

“I stayed in line for almost 20 hours to buy the new iPhone. I didn't mind flying from St Petersburg to Dubai because I cannot wait anymore. In my home country, iPhones’ new models will be available from September 28 that is pretty late for me,” said Vladislav Mikheev, who had reached Dubai on Thursday.

“The end result of this arduous journey is very fulfilling.”

Konstantin, Vladislav’s younger brother said: “XS Max is really cool. I have already fallen in love with its technology and camera.”

“We have no time for sight-seeing and will be flying back tomorrow. Because now it’s time to show our friends and colleagues that we are the No 1 and the coolest.”

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Read more:

Apple iPhone XS and XS Max launch in Dubai: wait is over as fans get hands on new products

Crowds queue overnight in Dubai Mall ahead of iPhone launch

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Abu Dhabi-based Bakhit Alsubousi, who bought iPhone XS Max in gold, was the first UAE buyer who placed a pre-order.

“It’s always a nice feeling to be the No 1. I love Apple’s technology and the way they treat their customers. I am already thrilled with the reviews that I have read so far and now it’s time to try the features first-hand,” stated Mr Alsubousi, who was first one to enter Apple’s store in Dubai Mall.

How will Gen Alpha invest?

Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.

“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.

Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.

He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.

Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

The line up

Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego  

Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh  

Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com

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UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Boston%20Strangler
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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.