Friday sales are back: Discounts or bundled offers– have you decided on the next smartphone pick?

The 5G demand spike is still slow, but there is a lot happening to smartphone cameras

Published: November 18, 2021 12:57 Last updated: November 19, 2021 11:42 Manoj Nair, Business Editor and Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor

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November’s ‘choose-your-colour’ Fridays with the bundled offers and one-off promotions. So, are you all set hit the ‘Enter’ button on your next smartphone or smart gadget buy? Image Credit: Appple

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According to retailers, a 5G-linked spike in handset sales will take longer to emerge as a contender. “5G is still a niche, and 5G-enabled handset sales are more likely to go directly to Etisalat or du, because of the instalment schemes and data bundles offered,” said an industry source. “Plus, 5G-enabled handsets are yet to go mainstream, with, say, a Dh1,500 handset or lower.” Image Credit: Supplied

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By now, all of the leading smartphone brands have come up with their end-of-year picks. Based on market feedback, demand for Apple’s iPhone 13 handsets is running strong – the benefits of a wider set of choices is helping. Image Credit: Reuters

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There are less of straight out discounts offered, but keep checking out the bundled offers and add-ons, whether on-line or in-store. Image Credit: B&O

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“Discounts are more likely to show up in add-on like the smartwatches and headphones – again we are talking on models launched last year,” said a retailer. “If consumers have the time, there is a lot of mix-and-match between latest smartphone buys and older gear they can do.” Image Credit: Screengrab

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Samsung has put flip and fold back into the smartphone design space – and finding that a lot of users in the UAE are giving the brand the buy-in. “The Galaxy Fold has already established itself by now, but the Galaxy Flip has been quite a revelation,” said a retailer. “The young, the cool, they want it. It’s surprising that other brands are not rushing in.” Image Credit: Bloomberg

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As for Huawei, it now has the armoury to build around its smartphones – the latest Matebook laptops solidifies its reputation further. “There is space for a slightly premium laptop offering from the brand – the specs are good, the pricing is competitive for those specs,” said a retailer. “Then again, there are the bundled offers and that’s where Huawei can score.” Image Credit: Supplied

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Beyond smartphones, smartwatches could be the hottest product category this Black/White/Yellow Friday season. Synchronize everything is what the smartphone brands are aiming for – and shoppers have no trouble buying into that concept. Image Credit: Supplied

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Connected devices, seamless work and play. That’s what Apple, Microsoft and Google have been trying to do. Other vendors now have the arsenal to do their own thing. Image Credit: AP

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So, let’s wait another year for 5G to get going for large-scale consumer buy-in. Until now, consumers can stay connected. Image Credit: Supplied

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