Look: Apple iPhone 14 sales in UAE begin, hundreds queue outside Dubai Mall

Apple store employees lined up at the entrance and counted down to 8am while welcoming the first buyers inside the Apple store at Dubai Mall.

There were long queues outside the store as hundreds of people lined up to get their hands on the brand-new iPhone 14 that go on sale in the UAE today.

Abdul Rafeeque, an IT manager at a media company was the first person to buy the brand-new device after securing a reservation for 8am. “I bought six iPhone 14 Pro 256GB,” said the beaming Indian national. “I had reservations for two iPhones in the morning and four for the evening. But when I asked the staff if I could pick up everything now, they agreed.” He said he was buying multiple devices for his friends and family.

“Although I have been at every launch event since the 4S, this is the first time that I am first in line,” he said. He shared images of launch events he has attended in the past.

Rafeeque had logged on to several devices to secure the earliest appointment when the reservations started.

Some people had been waiting since 4am to get into the mall, despite having reservations. Dr Mohanad was one of them, buying four devices. “I came at 4am and waited until the mall opened at 7am,” he said. “I am buying three iPhone Pro Max and one iPhone Pro for myself and my family.”

The Dubai resident had arrived with a bagful of cash for his purchase. “I wanted to pay in cash,” he said. “So I brought enough with me.”

• Exclusive first look: Unboxing the new Apple Watch Series 8 before its UAE release tomorrow