iPhone 15 frenzy as hundreds queue at Dubai malls a day before new models go on sale


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Hundreds of Apple superfans descended on Dubai malls on Thursday, trying to be first in line for the latest iPhone – a day before it goes on sale.

Long queues of shoppers hoping to snap up the hotly-anticipated iPhone 15 formed around the Apple Store in Dubai Mall.

Big crowds also formed at Dubai's Mall of the Emirates, with videos of the crowds shared on social media.

Apple's annual smartphone launches regularly draw frenzied interest around the world.

I need to get it now. A month from now is no good
Zooshan,
Apple fanatic

Hundreds started to queue in the afternoon at Dubai Mall, with the crowds swelling significantly by 7pm.

Security staff erected barriers, while guards with loud speakers urged Apple devotees to stop surging forward, before corralling them into several zones.

“It happens every time,” a cafe worker said with a smile, looking at the throngs of people. “It started hours ago.”

Some shoppers were prepared to wait overnight, while others said they were hoping to pre-book their phone and return on Friday to collect it.

The queues drew onlookers in the already jam-packed mall. Rows of people on the upper floors shot video of the Apple faithful and even took selfies.

Long night

“I will wait here until midnight,” said Rana, who was hoping to pre-order the iPhone 15 and collect it on Friday. “I am excited. Everyone is excited. I want to show off the phone to family and friends.”

Alongside Rana, his friend Zooshan said: “I need to get it now. A month from now is no good.”

He said he would update his social media with a photo as soon as he bagged the new phone.

Several shoppers said there were phone traders in the queue intent on securing the new models to resell quickly.

One shop worker, who has seen it all before, remarked: “Crazy, crazy people.”

A customer service representative at Dubai Mall said shoppers would not be allowed to camp out overnight outside the Apple store.

The mall's website states that its operates from 10am until 11pm, Monday to Thursday.

Tech phenomenon

Apple unveiled four new handsets – the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max – at its high-profile “Wonderlust” event, streamed from its Cupertino headquarters in California earlier this month.

Prices for the new models range from Dh3,399 for the standard 1phone 15 to Dh6,799 for the top-of-the-range iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The iPhone accounts for about 50 per cent of Apple’s sales, and the company is counting on the new model to help reverse a recent sales slide.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

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Price, base: Dh429,090

Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

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Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km

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If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?

“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett

“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite

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“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."

THE SPECS

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Squads

India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur

West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

Updated: September 22, 2023, 4:57 AM`