Queues are expected to form outside Apple stores across the UAE this evening before the latest Apple product launch on Friday.
The Apple store in Dubai Mall will open its doors at 7.30am as two updated versions of the iPhone X — the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max — and the Apple Watch Series 4 go on sale.
In previous years, hundreds of Apple fans have turned out before the stores' opening to be among the first to get their hands on the latest phones, but analysts are not anticipating the same frenzy this time around.
“I don’t think it’s going to generate as much excitement as last year’s iPhone X because that was a totally new design for iPhone,” said Abbas Ali, managing editor of TechRadar Middle East.
“This time around it’s more or less a hardware refresh.”
Mr Ali expects the crowd to consist of hardcore Apple fans and shoppers looking for a larger phone, as opposed to people who are seeking to upgrade their current iPhone X.
“I think it’s either going to be people who upgrade on a yearly basis or people who want bigger phones,” he said.
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A demonstration of the newly released Apple products is seen following the product launch event. Reuters -
Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc, right, and Jony Ive, chief design officer, speak during the launch event in California. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg -
Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, speaks at the Steve Jobs Theatre at Apple Park. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP -
Jeff Williams, chief operating officer, speaks about the updated Apple Watch. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP -
iPhone XS Max smartphones on display. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
Attendees view the Apple watch series 4 devices. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
Attendees browse new products. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
An attendee picks up the iPhone XS Max. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
An attendee picks up an Apple watch series 4. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
iPhone XR. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
An attendee displays the Apple Inc. iPhone XS Max, right, and iPhone XS. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
Tim Cook mingles with attendees. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
Tim Cook mingles with attendees. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
Tim Cook mingles with attendees. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
An attendee demonstrates the Apple Inc. iPhone XS Max. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg -
Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc, right, and Jony Ive, chief design officer, speak during the launch event in California. David Paul Morris/Bloomberg -
People take photos of the new Apple iPhones. Reuters
“I don’t think anyone who bought an iPhone X, generally speaking, is going to be upgrading, aside from the few fanatics that like to upgrade every year. But in general, if you have an iPhone X I don’t think you are going to be upgrading to the iPhone XS.”
The iPhone XS is an advanced version of the iPhone X released last year. At 5.8 inches, it is the same size but comes with a dual sim, better battery life, a faster processor and an upgraded camera. It will also come in gold and cost Dh4,229, the same price as the original iPhone X.
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With a 6.5 inch screen, one inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus, the iPhone XS Max will be the biggest handset Apple has produced yet. It will cost slightly more than the iPhone XS at Dh4,649.
The display of the Apple Watch Series 4 is around 30 per cent bigger than current models and includes more health features, say analysts.
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Philip Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing for Apple, speaks about the new iPhone XR. Reuters -
Philip Schiller in front of images of the three new iPhones. Getty -
Philip Schiller speaks about the the new Apple iPhone XS and XS Max. Reuters -
The new iPhones feature new camera technology. Bloomberg -
Philip Schiller speaks about the the new Apple iPhone XS. Reuters -
The three new iPhones include the $1,099 (Dh4.037) XS Max. AFP -
Jeff Williams, chief operating officer of Apple, speaks. AFP -
Jeff Williams speaks. Getty -
Jeff Williams speaks, in front of a display of Apple icons. Bloomberg -
Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple, speaks during the event. AFP -
Tim Cook speaks on stage at the start of the launch event. Reuters -
Attendees start to fill the seats before the Apple event. Getty -
Attendees arrive for an Apple event at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, California. Bloomberg -
Attendees arrive for the Apple event. Bloomberg -
Attendees line up for check-in ahead of the Apple event. Bloomberg -
An attendee views an Apple iPhone before the event. Bloomberg -
Badges hang in a kiosk ahead of the Apple event. Bloomberg -
Employees walk out to kiosks ahead of the Apple event. Bloomberg -
Employees wait for attendees ahead of the Apple event. Bloomberg
“I personally feel that the lines will be longer for the iPhone XS Max, the larger one, because that is the new one they have announced for this year,” said Mr Ali.
“They are identical except for the size.”
The iPhone XR, a low-cost version of the iPhone X, costing Dh3,179 with a 6.1-inch screen, will go on sale on October 26. It is expected to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel and is expected to generate more excitement than tomorrow’s launches, say analysts.
