Hundreds of shoppers headed to Dubai Mall on Friday morning to be among the first to get their hands on the iPhone 16.
Unlike previous years, Apple fans were not allowed to camp outside the shops ahead of the big launch, and only those with online reservations, with specific pickup times, were allowed access. They were even limited to two purchases per Apple ID.
Egyptian Ahmed Hamdy flew to Dubai to get his hands on an iPhone 16 Pro Max. “I reserved the phone online and came to Dubai Mall on Thursday night to get a spot in the queue, but I was told by the Apple store guys that there will be no queues and to come back before 8am today," he told The National.
The diehard iPhone fan was too excited to go back, so stayed near the Dubai Mall and got in at 6am. Mr Hamdy "likes to get a new iPhone every year", he said.
Apple introduced the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max at an unveiling event this month, offering fans an early peek as to which features would be included. The tech giant began accepting orders for the iPhones on Friday, with the new products available one week later.
Turkish citizen Berk Senay and his sister flew to Dubai for the day on Friday to buy the iPhone Pro Max 16. “I headed to Dubai Mall from the airport,” Mr Senay told The National.
The 27 year old says he is a “loyal iPhone” user and “likes to change my phone every year”. A former Dubai resident, Mr Senay was also among the first who bought the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year.
Mr Senay, who will fly back to Istanbul tonight, said it was "a nice feeling to know that you are the first in Turkey to have the new iPhone".
The UAE is again one of the first countries where the new devices are available. Fifty-eight countries are on the list, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the US.
Indian expat Sayed Fawas, who has made a tradition of changing his iPhone at every launch, reached Dubai Mall at 7am. “Unlike previous years, it’s quiet this year, with Apple allowing only those with reservation to stay in line.”
Mr Fawas bought one iPhone today and has made an online reservation for a second one tomorrow.
Some of the first few who got their hands on the new iPhone series even received offers for a quick resale. “One person offered me Dh8,000 [$8,937] for the new iPhone 16 plus. I didn't sell it but if I get any crazy offers I just might," said one Apple fan, who bought the iPhone for about Dh5,000.
The demand for the latest version of the iPhone was a little different than last year, with Apple allowing only registered users to queue.
"A reservation is currently required to purchase iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro in store. Buy online for home delivery or to reserve to buy in store," Apple said on its website.
Indian expat Libzath Abdul Qader, who lives in Sharjah, said he reached Dubai Mall about 4pm on Thursday anticipating long queues but was told to come back in the morning.
"But I was too excited to go back, so I stayed in the mall till midnight and then waited in my car," he said. “I got back to the mall around 6am and was among the first in the queue.
"I’m an Apple fan and every year I upgrade my iPhone. It’s a trend."
How much?
The base 6.1-inch iPhone 16 is Dh3,399, Dh3,799 and Dh4,649 for the 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models, respectively, while the 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus is Dh3,799, Dh4,199 and Dh5,049.
The iPhone 16 Pro will be Dh4,299, Dh4,699, Dh5,549 and Dh6,399 for the 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB variants, respectively.
The top-end iPhone 16 Pro Max is Dh5,099, Dh5,949 and Dh6,799 for the last three options (Apple removed the 128GB version last year).
In its accessories segment, the company introduced the Apple Watch Series 10, with the 42mm aluminium version of Watch Series 10 costing Dh1,599 for the GPS model and Dh1,999 for GPS and mobile. Its 46mm alternative is Dh1,719 and Dh2,119, respectively.
Meanwhile, its titanium version comes only in a GPS-and-mobile configuration. Its 42mm model comes with a sport band is Dh2,799, while the option with the Milanese loop is Dh2,999.
The 46mm titanium version is Dh2,999 and Dh3,199, respectively.
Apple also introduced the AirPods 4, which come in two variants: a base model at Dh549 and a new version with active noise cancelling at Dh749. It now also uses a USB-C port.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Abu Dhabi GP weekend schedule
Friday
First practice, 1pm
Second practice, 5pm
Saturday
Final practice, 2pm
Qualifying, 5pm
Sunday
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps), 5.10pm
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
RIDE%20ON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Larry%20Yang%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jackie%20Chan%2C%20Liu%20Haocun%2C%20Kevin%20Guo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
More coverage from the Future Forum
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm Underwriter
7.05pm Rayig
7.40pm Torno Subito
8.15pm Talento Puma
8.50pm Etisalat
9.25pm Gundogdu
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20and%203.6-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20235hp%20and%20310hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E258Nm%20and%20271Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh185%2C100%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
