More than 1.04 billion smartphones were sold in the first three quarters of this year, almost 88.6 million more than in the first nine months of 2020, according to technology research and consulting company Gartner.
After a double-digit surge on a yearly basis in the first two quarters of 2021, global smartphone sales declined by 6.8 per cent annually in the third quarter of this year.
The Covid-19 pandemic-induced shortage of key components such as radio frequency and power management integrated circuits, delayed smartphone production globally that led to a decline in sales in the July-September period, according to Gartner.
“This disrupted the supply-demand equilibrium and end-users were burdened with limited choices at point of sale,” it said.
Despite the prevailing market constraints, challenging business ecosystem and dismal business outlook, some smartphone models have continued to perform strongly.
Here are the top seven best-selling smartphones in the first three quarters of the year, according to industry observers Counterpoint Research and International Data Corporation, whose research did not reveal the exact number of units sold for each model.
iPhone 12
Apple’s iPhone 12 became the world’s best-selling 5G smartphone in the first nine months of the year, according to industry data.
Despite a delayed launch owing to the coronavirus-led supply chain disruptions, the 5G-enabled iPhone 12 managed to attract more customers. With a 15.5-centimetre display, the iPhone 12 was selling at Dh3,399 ($945) in the UAE at the time of launch.
It was released on October 13 last year, along with three more models – the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Galaxy A12
Launched late last year, Galaxy A12 is one of the Samsung’s most-selling budget smartphones.
With a 16.5cm display and quad-camera system on the rear, the A12 model has a powerful battery of 5,000 milliampere-hour that is enough to last more than two days between charges. The company said it comes with a defence-grade Knox security platform and is supported by a side fingerprint sensor.
iPhone 11
The iPhone 11, which was introduced in September 2019 at Dh2,949 in the UAE, still attracts buyers, more than two years after its launch.
Offering a low-cost, entry level iPhone allowed Apple to increase its presence in a wider array of price bands – a strategy that competitors Samsung and Xiaomi have been employing for years.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Priced at Dh4,699 in the UAE at the time of launch, the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 17cm display, the largest yet in the history of Apple smartphones. It also has the brand’s highest resolution of about 3.5 million pixels.
Its 5G compatibility made it a big hit among professional users and buyers looking for a bigger screen.
A 5G network promises an internet speed of up to 1.2 gigabits per second, which will gradually reach 10Gbps – 100 times faster than 4G.
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro, meanwhile, has a screen size of 15.5cm and started selling at Dh4,199 in the UAE.
Both new Pro models in Apple’s 12 series have an industry leading IP68 rating and can withstand being submerged in water up to six metres for about 30 minutes.
Xiaomi Redmi 9A
Launched last year, Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi’s budget phone Redmi 9A managed to grab huge market share in India – the world’s second-most populous country. It was the sixth-most selling smartphone globally in the January-September period.
Donning a 16.6cm display, Redmi 9A comes with a 5000mAh battery that delivers two days of uninterrupted connectivity, the company said. Its artificial intelligence-driven face-unlock feature ensures instant unlocking with a glance.
“The feature gives quick, secure and convenient access to your smartphone using intelligent face recognition system,” Xiaomi said.
In July 2018, Xiaomi went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with a valuation of $54 billion. It is known for its affordable devices that draw comparisons with Apple and Samsung phones.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 was the seventh most-selling phone during the first nine months of this year. It is equipped with a high-performance octa-core processor with a maximum frequency of 2.0GHz and a GPU (graphics processing unit) frequency of 1,000MHz for improved efficiency.
It comes with a HyperEngine technology to offer a seamless gaming experience to users.
There is an AI-backed four-camera setup on the rear and a 13MP in-display front camera to click selfies even during the low-light.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
SUNDAY'S ABU DHABI T10 MATCHES
Northern Warriors v Team Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangla Tigers v Karnataka Tuskers, 5.45pm
Qalandars v Maratha Arabians, 8pm
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
ACC%20T20%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Championship
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More on Quran memorisation:
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
EXPATS
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MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Company%20profile
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Results
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson
5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri
5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
The biog
Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
Squad for first two ODIs
Kohli (c), Rohit, Dhawan, Rayudu, Pandey, Dhoni (wk), Pant, Jadeja, Chahal, Kuldeep, Khaleel, Shami, Thakur, Rahul.
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
