UAE shoppers waste no time switching to AI smartphones - and laptops

Dubai: By the looks of it, UAE consumers are not waiting around when it comes to buying AI-enabled devices.

They have already started to show their preferences for smartphones with upgraded AI features – and now, the same is seen when it comes to PCs too.

“One in five of Jumbo’s UAE-wide sales of laptops is for an AI-ready device,” said Vikas Chadha, CEO of Jumbo Electronics, one of the leading electronics retailers in the market. “I believe, it’s the same 20% penetration that’s there for AI laptops across the UAE, while in most major markets, data suggest it could be around 15%-16% market share."

“UAE tech consumers do not seem to mind the higher mark-up that AI-ready PCs have, with prices 15%-20% higher than the standard devices available in the market," said Chadha. "We would not be surprised if AI laptops corner 50% of the market in about three years from now.”

The speed with which UAE consumers are taking to AI devices – and that too willing to pay a premium for it – has taken many by surprise. “We were expecting demand to rise by the start of the next academic year in September,” said an official with a leading online seller. “Because the price difference is still sizeable. But shoppers don’t seem to mind.”

These AI-ready laptops are popular in UAE:

Clearly, AI laden features built into tech gadgets is turning into a major selling point. Later today, Samsung will release its much anticipated Galaxy S25, with analysts and retailers suggesting the model would represent a major step up in integrating AI features. The pricing and availability of the S25 too will be announced later today.

A year ago, Samsung was the first smartphone brand to launch a flagship model, the S24, with the first set of AI features. The reception to that device was solid, helped by the fact that the manufacturer did not raise prices for those extra features.

Since then, Apple too had its Ai moment with the iPhone 16, though the rollout of the actual features was done well after the device launch. Honor and Huawei too ae active in the UAE market with their own versions, and picking up serious visibility vis-a—vis shoppers.

"Apple not having simultaneous availability of AI features with the iPhone 16 may have delayed purchase or upgrade decisions," said an analyst. "I think H1-2025 will be the more decisive sales phase for the model now that Apple Intelligence is readily accessible."

When it comes to smartphones, the in-demand ones are:

But a lot has changed in consumer expectations between last year and now. “If a ChatGPT feature was what smartphone buyers thought as an AI feature they wanted in 2024, this year those expectations will have been scaled up,” said a tech analyst. “AI devices can be the ‘smartest’ digital assistant that users want.”

According to Chadha, the buzz around AI is at the same level that 5G smartphone models used to have when they launched. “It’s unlikely many shoppers looking to buy a laptop today would opt for a standard one,” he added. “Same with AI-enabled smartphones.

“At the time when 5G models became available, the market for 4G dropped instantly in the UAE. Everyone wanted an upgrade.”

Starting today, as Samsung brings out the Galaxy S25, UAE shoppers will hope they have one more reason to go AI…