Sri Krishna
The highly anticipated iPhone 16 lineup, along with other newly released Apple products, will officially go on sale tomorrow, September 20, across all Apple stores in the UAE. However, this year’s launch has left many tourists and locals confused and disappointed due to new crowd control measures.
Unlike previous years, when large crowds would gather at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates on the night before the launch, security personnel are now actively dispersing groups outside the stores. Barricades have been set up, and only customers seeking assistance with existing products are being allowed inside. Those inquiring about the new iPhone are informed that the devices will be available starting tomorrow.
Apple has introduced stricter measures this year, and walk-ins will not be entertained. Customers who pre-ordered their iPhones online on September 13 have been given specific time slots to pick up their devices. While there will still be queues, they will be primarily for customers purchasing other Apple products that don’t require reservations.
At Dubai Mall, only customers with pre-orders will be allowed onto the first floor where the new iPhones will be displayed. Many tourists, like Ali from India and Mohammed from China, who traveled to Dubai specifically for the iPhone 16, were seen outside the store, trying to figure out the new system. Both were surprised by the change, as they had expected a walk-in option similar to previous launches.
Local content creator Rafeez Ahmed, who documented last year’s massive crowds during the iPhone 15 launch, noted the difference this time around. Having reserved four iPhones, Rafeez will be picking up his pre-ordered devices at designated times across two different stores.
The iPhone 16 starts at Dh3,399 in the UAE, with the iPhone 16 Plus priced at Dh3,799. The iPhone 16 Pro starts at Dh4,299, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max begins at Dh5,099 for the base model. All models come with new features, including a camera control button and an innovative Action button for quick access to functions.
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