Etisalat and du have confirmed their price plans for the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy SIII phone.
The handset - dubbed the "iPhone killer" because of its high-tech features - has a retail price of Dh2,499 in the UAE.
But it is being offered for free on at least two of Etisalat's price packages, as the business model of subsidising mobile handsets grows more popular in the region.
Rival operator du is offering the phone with a discounted data bundle, according to information on its website.
Etisalat said today it will offer the Galaxy SIII phone for free to subscribers to its 4 gigabyte (GB) data package, which costs Dh449 a month and includes 800 local minutes and 200 free SMS.
Under a different offer, Etisalat says it will sell the Galaxy SIII phone for Dh2,499, and offer a 500 megabyte data package free for three months. It said it would launch plans for its prepaid customers "soon".
Corporate customers would also be able to receive the device for free under one of its price plans, Etisalat said.
Du is selling the phone for Dh2,499, and offering 2GB of data per month for the price of a 1GB package.
Samsung told The National earlier this month that the practice of subsidising mobile handsets - as Etisalat is doing - marks a growing business model in the Gulf region.
"I see the operators as the drivers for the mobile-phone business in the future," said Ashraf Fawakherji, the general manager of the telecoms group at Samsung Gulf Electronics. "They will be influencing the market much [more]."
The Galaxy SIII phone has a 4.8-inch display and can track its user's eye movements to ensure the screen does not dim or turn off when in use.
It is expected to be the main rival to Apple's iPhone 5, which is rumoured to be going on sale in the third quarter.
Several retailers in UAE said they have already sold out of the SIII, and Samsung has acknowledged it will be unable to meet the initial demand for the device.
twitter: Follow and share our breaking business news. Follow us
iPad users can follow our twitterfeed via Flipboard - just search for Ind_Insights on the app.
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What%20is%20cystic%20fibrosis%3F
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECystic%20fibrosis%20is%20a%20genetic%20disorder%20that%20affects%20the%20lungs%2C%20pancreas%20and%20other%20organs.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIt%20causes%20the%20production%20of%20thick%2C%20sticky%20mucus%20that%20can%20clog%20the%20airways%20and%20lead%20to%20severe%20respiratory%20and%20digestive%20problems.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPatients%20with%20the%20condition%20are%20prone%20to%20lung%20infections%20and%20often%20suffer%20from%20chronic%20coughing%2C%20wheezing%20and%20shortness%20of%20breath.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ELife%20expectancy%20for%20sufferers%20of%20cystic%20fibrosis%20is%20now%20around%2050%20years.%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
