Apple launched its cheapest iPhone, at Dh1,699, on Wednesday to attract budget-conscious buyers as it attempts to wrestle market share from rivals Samsung and Huawei.
The new phone is the second-generation iPhone SE. An initial model was launched in 2016 with a starting price of Dh1,466, but was discontinued in September 2018.
“The first iPhone SE was a hit with many customers who loved its unique combination of small size, high-end performance and affordable price,” said Phil Schiller, the company’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing.
“The second-generation iPhone SE builds on that great idea and improves on it in every way … including our best-ever single-camera system for great photos and videos, while still being very affordable.”
A cheaper offering may help Apple to compete with mid-range smartphones from rivals Samsung and Huawei and to meet its goal of 200 million shipments in 2020.
It is the first time that Apple, which typically unveils its phones in September each year, has launched a new phone without one of its showcase public events.
As the coronavirus outbreak restricts the movement of people globally, companies are becoming more innovative when launching products. Within the past month, tech giants including Huawei, Samsung and OnePlus have held virtual product launch events.
The new iPhone SE comes with a 11.9 centimetre screen and is powered by the Apple-designed A13 Bionic, which it says is the fastest chip available in a smartphone.
There are three variants of the phone, with storage capacities of 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The device is available in three colours – black, white and red – and can be pre-ordered from Friday in more than 40 markets, including the UAE.
Propelled by the strong demand for its iPhone 11, launched in September, Apple sold 70.7 million devices in the three months to December, grabbing 19 per cent of global market share, according to research firm Strategy Analytics. It was followed closely by Samsung with an 18.4 per cent market share and China’s Huawei, which had a 15 per cent share.
However, manufacturing of new iPhones has reportedly been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Its new 5G-enabled iPhones, which are scheduled for a September launch, could face a delay due to supply chain disruption caused by the contagion, Bank of America analysts have said.
The company manufactures most of its iPhones and other devices in China, which is also Apple's second-biggest market in terms of sales after the US.
Travel restrictions have reportedly prevented Apple's engineers from visiting the country and completing final tests before the company can begin manufacturing 5G iPhones.
In February, Apple warned investors that supply constraints and falling demand in China will dent growth, making it unlikely to meet second quarter revenue targets.
In its earlier guidance for the three months to March 30, released on January 29, the Cupertino company projected revenue in the range of $63 billion (Dh231.21bn) to $67bn, a year-on-year rise of almost 15.5 per cent.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
