The iPhone 5 will be available for pre-order through Etisalat and du from Sunday, December 9, 2012.

Etisalat offers value-packed prepaid and postpaid package options on all three new iPhone 5 devices – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB.

Khaled ElKhouly, Chief Marketing Officer at Etisalat, confirmed availability of the iPhone 5 in the UAE from December 13, 2012 onwards. “The new iPhone 5 has been much-awaited across the region and we understand the enthusiasm of our customers to own a piece of the action. We assure customers that the features of the iPhone 5 device, combined with Etisalat’s wide 3G network in the UAE, will provide an exceptional user experience,” said ElKhouly.

For both pre-paid and post-paid customers, the new iPhone 5 is priced at Dh2749 for 16GB, Dh3149 for 32GB and Dh3549 for 64GB devices. Starting December 9, customers can pre-order the iPhone 5 with their choice of Etisalat’s attractive pre-paid or post-paid plans, using their credit card, by logging on to Etisalat’s website.

Apple also announced last week that it would launch iPhone 5 in the UAE on December 14. Local retailers were last week selling 16GB iPhone 5 between Dh3,000 to Dh4,000 while Apple is expected to launch at around Dh2,200. The iPhone 4S was also being sold in the local market at the same rate..

Etisalat’s customers buying the new iPhone 5 will enjoy an enhanced mobile data experience offered on the nation’s widest 3G HSPA+ network. Etisalat’s HSPA+ network covers more than 99% of the country’s populated areas and supports Internet speeds of up to 42Mbps. It allows customers to enjoy speed-demanding apps such as video-streaming, networked gaming, browsing and much more.

Media reports said that du will also start pre-order from Sunday, December 9.