iPhone 15 frenzy as hundreds queue at Dubai malls a day before new models go on sale


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Hundreds of Apple superfans descended on Dubai malls on Thursday, trying to be first in line for the latest iPhone – a day before it goes on sale.

Long queues of shoppers hoping to snap up the hotly-anticipated iPhone 15 formed around the Apple Store in Dubai Mall.

Big crowds also formed at Dubai's Mall of the Emirates, with videos of the crowds shared on social media.

Apple's annual smartphone launches regularly draw frenzied interest around the world.

I need to get it now. A month from now is no good
Zooshan,
Apple fanatic

Hundreds started to queue in the afternoon at Dubai Mall, with the crowds swelling significantly by 7pm.

Security staff erected barriers, while guards with loud speakers urged Apple devotees to stop surging forward, before corralling them into several zones.

“It happens every time,” a cafe worker said with a smile, looking at the throngs of people. “It started hours ago.”

Some shoppers were prepared to wait overnight, while others said they were hoping to pre-book their phone and return on Friday to collect it.

The queues drew onlookers in the already jam-packed mall. Rows of people on the upper floors shot video of the Apple faithful and even took selfies.

Long night

  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Dubai Mall in Dubai. John Dennehy / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Dubai Mall in Dubai. John Dennehy / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People queue for the iPhone 15 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

“I will wait here until midnight,” said Rana, who was hoping to pre-order the iPhone 15 and collect it on Friday. “I am excited. Everyone is excited. I want to show off the phone to family and friends.”

Alongside Rana, his friend Zooshan said: “I need to get it now. A month from now is no good.”

He said he would update his social media with a photo as soon as he bagged the new phone.

Several shoppers said there were phone traders in the queue intent on securing the new models to resell quickly.

One shop worker, who has seen it all before, remarked: “Crazy, crazy people.”

A customer service representative at Dubai Mall said shoppers would not be allowed to camp out overnight outside the Apple store.

The mall's website states that its operates from 10am until 11pm, Monday to Thursday.

Tech phenomenon

Apple unveiled four new handsets – the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max – at its high-profile “Wonderlust” event, streamed from its Cupertino headquarters in California earlier this month.

Prices for the new models range from Dh3,399 for the standard 1phone 15 to Dh6,799 for the top-of-the-range iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The iPhone accounts for about 50 per cent of Apple’s sales, and the company is counting on the new model to help reverse a recent sales slide.

Company profile

Company name: Suraasa

Started: 2018

Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker

Based: India, UAE and the UK

Industry: EdTech

Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding

UAE%20FIXTURES
%3Cp%3EWednesday%2019%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3EFriday%2021%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Hong%20Kong%3Cbr%3ESunday%2023%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Singapore%3Cbr%3EWednesday%2026%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3ESaturday%2029%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Semi-finals%3Cbr%3ESunday%2030%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Third%20position%20match%3Cbr%3EMonday%201%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Final%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder

Power: 220 and 280 horsepower

Torque: 350 and 360Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT 

On sale: now

Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance

TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel

What is the definition of an SME?

SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.

A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors. 

Messi at the Copa America

2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final

2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals

2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final

2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final

Abu Dhabi Card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m

National selection: AF Mohanak

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m

National selection: Jayide Al Boraq

6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m

National selection: Rocket Power

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m

National selection: Ihtesham

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m

National selection: Noof KB

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m

National selection: EL Faust

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

HERO%20CUP%20TEAMS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cins%3EContinental%20Europe%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fins%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrancesco%20Molinari%20(c)%3Cbr%3EThomas%20Detry%3Cbr%3ERasmus%20Hojgaard%3Cbr%3EAdrian%20Meronk%3Cbr%3EGuido%20Migliozzi%3Cbr%3EAlex%20Noren%3Cbr%3EVictor%20Perez%3Cbr%3EThomas%20Pieters%3Cbr%3ESepp%20Straka%3Cbr%3EPlayer%20TBC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cins%3EGreat%20Britain%20%26amp%3B%20Ireland%3C%2Fins%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ETommy%20Fleetwood%20(c)%3Cbr%3EEwen%20Ferguson%3Cbr%3ETyrrell%20Hatton%3Cbr%3EShane%20Lowry%3Cbr%3ERobert%20MacIntyre%3Cbr%3ESeamus%20Power%3Cbr%3ECallum%20Shinkwin%3Cbr%3EJordan%20Smith%3Cbr%3EMatt%20Wallace%3Cbr%3EPlayer%20TBC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20flat-six%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E525hp%20(GT3)%2C%20500hp%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E465Nm%20(GT3)%2C%20450Nm%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh944%2C000%20(GT3)%2C%20Dh581%2C700%20(GT4)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Scoreline:

Cardiff City 0

Liverpool 2

Wijnaldum 57', Milner 81' (pen)

If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

West Asia Premiership

Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles

Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain

Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

Polarised public

31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all

Source: YouGov

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
  1. Steve Baker
  2. Peter Bone
  3. Ben Bradley
  4. Andrew Bridgen
  5. Maria Caulfield​​​​​​​
  6. Simon Clarke 
  7. Philip Davies
  8. Nadine Dorries​​​​​​​
  9. James Duddridge​​​​​​​
  10. Mark Francois 
  11. Chris Green
  12. Adam Holloway
  13. Andrea Jenkyns
  14. Anne-Marie Morris
  15. Sheryll Murray
  16. Jacob Rees-Mogg
  17. Laurence Robertson
  18. Lee Rowley
  19. Henry Smith
  20. Martin Vickers 
  21. John Whittingdale
Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg

Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Scores

Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Burnley 1-0 Brighton
Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace

Saturday fixtures:
Chelsea v Manchester City, 9.30pm (UAE)
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 11.45pm (UAE)

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

Updated: September 22, 2023, 4:57 AM