Dubai: Apple’s new iPhone models – 7 and 7 Plus – went on sale in the UAE at Apple Stores in Mall of the Emirates and Yas Mall.
Many walk-in customers did not get hold on to the devices due to limited stocks, especially the new jet black colour scheme.
The new glossy ‘jet black’ colour is proving to be a big hit, followed by the regular black.
Each customer can buy only two iPhones. The iPhone 7 Plus, with its dual-lens rear camera, won the majority of preorders and walk-in customers, a reversal from previous years.
Ranjit Jose, a UAE-resident hailing from Kerala, was the first pre-booked customer to get his hands on the new device and the watch.
“I was always been an Apple fan, right from the first iPhone. The kind of technological leap in every device, including design and the customer experience, made me buy Apple phones. This is the first time I am coming to an Apple Store. I am amazed by the live event and it was a great experience.”
“I took the iPhone 7 gold colour for my girlfriend as 7 Plus jet black was not available. I had also pre-booked a 7 Plus for myself which I hope will get it within three weeks,” he said.
Ahmad Al Hajri, a Saudi national, was the first walk-in customer to get the device. He was at the store from Friday at 7PM.
“I slept at the mall. I like Apple and wanted to buy a 5.5–inch iPhone 7 Plus space grey, but had to sacrifice it for the 4.7–inch space grey (256GB). I am taking two phones.”
He said that the advanced camera, faster processor and new Touch ID features forced him to buy the new device.
Ahmed Al Hajra from Saudi Arabia is the first to get an #iPhone7 in #Dubai pic.twitter.com/z15b3tiEWY
Gulf News (@gulf_news) September 17, 2016
Some customers complained that the iPhone 7 Plus with the new jet-black colour were not even available for pre-booked customers.
Industry experts said that Apple is benefiting from its rival Samsung’s recall of the Galaxy Note 7 due to a spate of exploding batteries, but they said that it was unclear if the shortages were the result of strong demand or limited supply.
They [industry experts] said that it remains to be seen if the sales can generate the same excitement that surrounded previous versions of the iPhone.
