Samsung has announced its new Galaxy S8 and S8+ flagship smartphones will be released in the UAE on April 28 - and will include a flight discount tie-up with Etihad Airways.
Details of the highly anticipated new device were revealed last night at an event in Dubai, with Samsung saying the airline deal, plus hotel offers, are “reward for our customer loyalty”.
The move to include a retail link-up comes just a few months after Samsung’s reputation took a battering as its Note 7 device was taken off the shelves and production ceased due to a spate of battery-related fires.
“Those who purchase the Galaxy S8 and S8+ will be able to explore the world in style and enjoy 30 per cent off in Economy and Business Class with Etihad Airways,” Samsung said.
“Furthermore, customers will be able to save up to 40 per cent on hotel bookings worldwide and enjoy an extra 12 per cent off coupon in partnership with hotels.com. This offer is exclusively available to customers in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.”
The new Samsung devices on display. Satish Kumar / The National
The Etihad offer extends across the its seven airline partners. A statement from Samsung added that terms and conditions apply.
Samsung is expected to come under further pressure this year with the release of new Apple iPhones, thought to include the iPhone 8.
“The high-end model (S8) is expected to make limited sales contribution because the buzz surrounding the next-generation iPhone devices is dampening demand for products from non-Apple vendors,” said TrendForce, a technology market intelligence provider based in Taipei.
Visitors check out the new Samsung Galaxy S8 during the launch in Dubai. Satish Kumar / The National
As of the end of the first quarter of 2017, Samsung had a 26.1 per cent global smartphone market share, compared to Apple’s 16.9 per cent, according to TrendForce, with Samsung boosted by the popularity of its lower-end J range.
The 5.8-inch S8 and 6.2-inch S8+ feature an ‘infinity display’ with a bezel-less design. The result, Samsung says, is no buttons or harsh angles.
Both phones come with a 8MP F1.7 Smart autofocus front camera and 12MP F1.7 Dual Pixel rear camera, faster processor, fingerprint scanner, iris scanner and as with the S7 they will be IP68 water and dust resistant.
New high-performance earphones tuned by AKG by Harman will come as an in-box accessory. The phones will come in midnight black, orchid grey, and maple gold.
Although Samsung did not comment on the price, UAE-based electronics retailer Sharaf DG is taking pre-orders at Dh2,799 for the S8, and Dh3,099 for the S8+.
ioxborrow@thenational.ae
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
