Eid smartphone shopping in UAE: More offers, not much of discounts

Dubai: UAE shoppers looking around for a smartphone model to pick up this Eid have plenty of offers to choose from – but not much as straight discounts.

That’s because most of the flagship models - whether from Samsung, Huawei or Nothing – had their launches just recently, leaving too short a time for discounts to come in.

“Apart from Apple iPhone, most of the top-of-the-line smartphone launches happen earlier in the year, many coinciding with the CES in Las Vegas and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona,” said a tech wholesaler. “And because the month of Ramadan started in March, the gap between launch and the Eid Al Fitr offer period is too narrow.

“The same sequence of events will be there in the next two years as well, given the Ramadan calendar.’

Even then, gadget retailers say there are still multiple offers to choose from when it comes to smartphones, tablets (Apple has updated its iPad line-up), and laptops (many now having AI as the default setting).

There's also the triple-fold Huawei Mate XT - with a launch price of Dh12,999, a shopper can opt for instalments but nothing on the pricing.

So, less of discounts, but a lot of other possibilities is what shoppers are getting.

“Rather than focus solely on discounts, we are emphasizing upgrade offers through trade-in top-ups,” said Vikas Chadha, CEO of Jumbo Electronics. “For example, with the Samsung S25 Series (which launched in January), shoppers can receive up to Dh500 in additional trade-in value for their old devices, as part of a joint promotion between Samsung and Jumbo.

"Both AI-enabled smartphones and notebooks have seen strong interest, making them the bestsellers during Ramadan. Consumers are increasingly drawn to AI-powered innovations, whether in smartphones or PCs, reflecting a broader shift toward intelligent technology.

"The S25 Series has gained notable traction in the UAE market, and among the popular choices for those looking for AI-enabled devices."

iPhone 16 price drops

Interestingly, the iPhone 16 is seeing a few price-based offers, primarily because it’s been there in the market since late September. The discounts are in the range of Dh150-Dh200, which have 'led to sell-outs' of the iPhone across online and offline stores.

There is also the new entry-level iPhone 16e, with a promotional price of Dh1,699.

Retailers say the actual demand pick up for the iPhone 16 happened from late December last and has more or less sustained itself through the start of this year. The Apple Intelligence, the tech giant’s version of AI features, added to getting the traction. (Even though tech analysts say Apple needs to get those AI features to do much more to keep the interest going. Will iPhone 17 deliver on that?)

“The iPhone 16 is seeing some corrections on the pricing side – more than the previous versions,” said Rajat Asthana, Chief Operating Officer at Eros, which is one the biggest tech vendors in the UAE.

“Value-added offers and freebies are the new norm with smartphone launches. We are particularly excited about the new Nothing Phone (3a) series – there’s a clear triggering of demand in the UAE market from the many flagship smartphone launches.”

Nothing’s here

Last week, the Nothing brand – with the by now distinctive all-transparent look – put out the (3a) series, with features that should play well with its targeted user base of the young. The best part? The brand has kept the pricing constant, while topping up the features, including AI-enabled ones.