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29 March 2024

Why it's still difficult to buy an iPhone 4S in UAE

Published

The quest to get a shiny new iPhone 4S for Christmas via etisalat and du has hit a road bump for many across the UAE, as an unprecedented high demand, exclusive retailing and overall confusion in purchasing plans is plaguing potential buyers.
 
Both telecom companies launched Apple’s latest iPhone model on December 16 amidst much fanfare, but the buying frenzy has been short-lived for some.
 
Pre-paid and du’s potential new customers have been asked to wait until January 13 to be owners of a new iPhone 4S considering the handset is being retailed via a limited offer only, with just the existing post-paid customers having the chance to grab the phone in advance.
 
However, head to its outlets and employees say a different story that even pre-paid customers are snapping up the phone.
 
When Emirates 24|7 contacted du’s customer service, we were informed that next month would be our best bet in attempting to purchase a phone with the telecom company.
 
“Currently, only a select customer base has been contacted by du on the special offers we have on the iPhone 4S,” we were told. “The potential buyers are handpicked by us depending on their phone usage.
 
“If you sign up for a du line today, you will certainly be eligible for a handset by January 13.”
 
When quizzed about putting our names down on a waitlist, we were informed that it’s a matter of three weeks and there are no advance queues being entertained.
 
Meanwhile, etisalat users have their own share of hiccups with handsets supplies being limited in some venues with forthcoming information patchy at best upon enquiring outlets at which the iPhone 4S is available.
 
Upon contacting telecom giant etisalat’s customer care line, we were told: “The iPhone 4S is available for purchase immediately from our retail centres; however, stocks are limited in some places so you would have to check if there is availability.”
 
The customer helpline was unable to provide information on which centres have the phone currently in stock, with the representative saying: “It would be best that you called those outlets yourself and then head down there.”
 
However, when Emirates 24|7 called three such centres, we were welcomed by an automated voice system that routed all queries back to the customer care centre.
 
Physically going centre to centre to check if the iPhone 4S handset is in fact in stock there is probably the best bet for some. Upon checking the Al Khaleej Centre branch in Bur Dubai, we were able to check that handsets were indeed available there, but fast moving.
 
Said one etisalat employee: "We've mainly had emiratis and younger buyers in these first few days, with an equal demand for both the black and white handsets."

A du spokesperson said further: “Based on some initial feedback, our sales figures for iPhone 4S rank among the top three in the region. There is a huge demand for iPhone 4S with our attractive data plans in the UAE. At the current rate, sales should continue to set records.

“Demand for the iPhone 4S is higher than the iPhone 4 at launch, with plans from du can give data benefits in excess of Dh6,000 over a year, thereby rendering the smartphone effectively free of charge. The customer has the option to experience the device at the du shop prior to purchase and can collect and use it instantly. Customers also get the benefit of complete iTunes and email set-up at the du shop. The 16Gb iPhone 4S model is so far the most popular, and customers can choose either the black or white model.”
 
Questions sent to etisalat went unanswered at time of deadline.
 
The handsets have been available across the UAE through private retailers, weeks after Apple launched the device on October 4 of this year.
 
But with prices hitting near Dh3,000 for a 16GB handset, many UAE buyers had been eagerly awaiting the official launch by etisalat and du and to take advantage of the data plans that would be offered.
 
etisalat is currently retailing the iPhone 4S at Dh2,749 for 16GB, Dh3,149 for 32GB and Dh3,549 for 64GB devices, with three postpaid plans for each handset on a year-long contract that gives users a bundle of free minutes on SMS, local and international calls.
 
In addition to the free 500MB data offer for first three months, customers purchasing the device at an extra charge of Dh150 will also receive 10,000 ‘MORE’ reward points, equivalent to Dh100 talk time, a car charger and phone case.
 
Meanwhile, du is also offering the iPhone 4S at Dh2,749 for 16GB, Dh3,199 for 32GB and Dh3,599 for 64GB devices with a host of data plans available on its Elite or Pay as you Go packages.

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