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Watch LIVE: Die-hard Apple fan unboxes iPhone 16; first buyers show off packages
One fan arrived at the mall as early as 5am and waited until he was allowed to enter; others turned up unaware of new rules that they should have a reservation to get a device
The iPhone 16 has landed in the UAE and, today, Apple fans will finally get their hands on one — or more than a dozen of it.
iPhone release days are no ordinary days in the Emirates. Over the years, we have seen crowds camp out overnight outside Apple stores and endless queues snaking through mall corridors all day. To hear people buying 11 (or more) iPhones in one go is not unusual. Some go as far as travelling to Dubai from halfway around the world just to get the coveted device ahead of everyone else.
This year, however, Apple introduced smarter measures to keep the frenzy in check, including requiring online reservations, setting pickup times, and limiting purchases to two per Apple ID user. Nevertheless, barricades have been put up and security plans mapped out because — in spite of it all — crowds are still expected.
Khaleej Times’ teams are on the ground to capture the excitement, the happy tears, some frustration — and everything in between. Here’s the latest:
9.28am: From iPhone 8 to 16 Pro Max
For Russian tourists Sergei Yastremskiy and his wife Yulia Danilenko, it was two birds with one stone as they bought their new Apple phone, and also visited Dubai which they wanted to do for the past 10 years.
Yastremskiy, who was in the Olympics support team in Russia, is upgrading from iPhone 10, and is delighted with the 16 Pro Max which is the "ideal phone with an ideal camera and design", he says. His wife Danilenko previously had an iPhone 8. The two are returning tomorrow morning.
9.13am: New features, prices
Desert titanium has become a popular choice for purchasers as the colour was introduced for the first time this year in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup, replacing blue.
In the iPhone lineup, customers are also eagerly awaiting the Apple Intelligence, a groundbreaking AI system that will be available in beta as a free software update next month.
The iPhone 16 Pro starts at Dh4,299, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced at Dh5,099 for its base model in the UAE.
9am: 'No Apple Store back home'
For Russian tourists Azat Dzhabarov, Evgenii parlikokosh, and Irina Ovcharenko, the closure of the Apple Store back home meant they flew to Dubai for the new releases.
The three friends travelled to UAE on September 12, and are planning to return today, with their iPhone Pro Max and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in hand.
8.49am: Commuting to different malls
An Indian expat, AR Rehman has reserved 4 iPhones, and has already received 3 of them from Dubai Mall. With these in hand, he will receive his fourth from the Mall of the Emirates at 5.30pm.
8.45am: One lucky buyer
People with reservations continue to wait to take home their new devices. The Apple Store at Yas Mall remains empty, with only one fortunate customer having exited so far, proudly taking his purchase. A strict protocol appears to be in place, with access controlled to ensure smooth process. Hundreds of fans are waiting outside to glance at the recent reveal from Apple, hoping to be among the next few to be allowed inside.
8.36am: Die-hard Apple fan
Khalid Almehairi offered us a glimpse into his impressive lineup of Apple products.
The citizen, who upgrades his collection with the new releases every year also showed us a look at the "satisfying" unboxing of his iPhone 16 Pro Max. Watch it here:
8.25am: From airport to Apple store
Turkish siblings Berk and Burcu Senay arrived in Dubai 3 hours ago, flying in from Turkey to Abu Dhabi solely for purchasing the iPhone 16 Pro. Apple's newest phones would've cost them "around Dh12,000 with taxes" in Turkey, the duo says, deciding to get their tech in Dubai instead.
According to research published by Nukeni, a global price-comparison website for gadgets, in 2022, Turkey replaced Brazil for the most expensive iPhone in the world.
The two are all smiles, planning to fly back home today, new iPhones in tow.
8.18am: Buyers all smiles
At Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, Samar Iqbal is among the first to receive a phone. He bought the phone for himself.
"I am so delighted to be the first one to get my hands on the phone," said Iqbal.
8.13am: First buyer in!
Hilal Raza is the first customer to purchase an iPhone at Dubai Mall. Time for a change, Raza said, as he bought the iPhone 16 Pro Max, an upgrade from his previous iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The Pakistani expat is waiting to get home, so he can unbox it with his mother. Watch a video here:
7.58am: Family time at the iPhone launch
Sayed Fawaz, an Indian expat, is eagerly waiting with his family in Dubai Mall to get his hands on the new phone.
Fawaz was the first person to purchase the iPhone 15 Pro Max released last year. He is now waiting to buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max in desert titanium colour for his wife. Fawaz is looking forward to the new AI features, and the loyal Apple customer claims "nothing can beat iOS."
7.42am: Time for a change
Hilal Raza, a Pakistani expat, reserved the iPhone 16 Pro Max on September 13, going for the desert titanium design. For this loyal customer, the iPhone 16 came just in time as he wanted a change from his 13 Pro Max.
7.37am: Here since 5am
Saquib Hassan, an iPhone enthusiast, arrived at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi as early as 5am to pick up his pre-ordered phones, which he reserved on September 13. Here's the proof of his reservation:
"I have secured my iPhone Pro Max 256 for collection at 1pm, with the other Pro Max 512 in the evening. I came early in hopes of getting both sooner," said Hassan, who purchased one phone for himself and the other for his brother.
7.30am: Some customers 'unaware' of new rules
Many iPhone fans have lined up at Yas Mall without prior reservations, but only those with confirmation are being allowed to queue.
Saeed Ibrahim, who arrived at the mall as early as 6am to purchase directly from the store, said, "I wasn't aware of this new rule that Apple has introduced. Last year, I got a phone without any issues, but now we're being told that if we don’t have a reservation, we have to leave."
7.25am: No reservation, no access
Are you planning to go to the mall? If you are after an iPhone, make sure you have a reservation because you will not be allowed beyond a certain point without it, at both Dubai Mall and Yas Mall.
7.21am: Queues in Abu Dhabi
At the Apple Store in Yas Mall, eager customers have lined up, hoping to get their eyes on the latest smartphone.
7.13am: Reminder
Apple users who have reserved online in advance will have to show the email as proof, according to officials.
If you took a screenshot, thinking that will come in handy, those won't work! You will have to show the original email as proof. Customers must also provide the Apple ID.
7am: We're in!
Those who may have planned to queue up at Apple stores — particularly at the tech giant's flagship branch at Dubai Mall — way before opening hours would have been disappointed. Security is tight at the mall and no one was allowed entry prior to 7am
Here's the scene at Dubai Mall:
6.45am: No entry
At Dubai Mall, only a select few were allowed entry to play ice hockey. Khaleej Times observed tight security measures that prevented movement beyond the designated area.
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