The passion of UAE residents for iPhones is deeply rooted, and their eagerness to be among the first globally to own the latest devices has always been palpable, regardless of the cost. There was a period when the price of iPhones in the UAE was among the highest worldwide. For instance, the 16GB iPhone 5, released in September 2012, was sold for up to Dh6,000. This same amount could now purchase the latest iPhone 16 Pro Max with over 30 times the storage (512GB), along with advanced hardware for a robust generative AI platform. Back then, AI or Apple Intelligence was not a concept familiar to iPhone enthusiasts. The iPhone 5 featured a four-inch Retina display, the new A6 chip, iOS 6.0, and a sleeker, taller design. Announced on September 12, 2012, it was initially released in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, France, and Germany, expanding to 22 more countries ten days later. According to Khaleej Times, the iPhone 5 was first showcased to the media in Dubai on September 22, 2012. At that time, the UAE did not have an Apple Store; the first one opened three years later, on October 29, 2015. Various retailers and distributors sold the iPhone 5 in the UAE at prices significantly higher than those in countries where it was officially released. Apple's sole official channel then was store.apple.com/ae. Meanwhile, UK-based Siasa Telecom announced the availability of the iPhone 5 in late September. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Siasa director Mohammed Sadiq acknowledged that iPhone 5 prices in Dubai were higher than in other markets. He initially refrained from disclosing prices, fearing it would create a negative impression of profiteering, but explained that the higher costs were due to import duties, taxes, and transportation expenses. For wholesale, a 16GB iPhone 5 was priced at Dh4,500, and the 32GB version at Dh4,700. Retail prices were even higher. An online shopping website in the UAE sold iPhone 5 units for Dh3,845 to Dh5,500, while major Dubai electronics retailers offered the 16GB version for Dh6,000. Despite the high prices, sales were strong, with retailers noting that prices would likely drop in a few weeks, suggesting that would be a better time to buy. However, the immediate demand remained high, as many wanted to own the device as soon as possible. Today, the UAE boasts four Apple Stores—two in Dubai and two in Abu Dhabi—and is one of the first countries to receive new Apple devices. The UAE also experiences 'iPhone tourism,' where enthusiasts from other countries visit to be among the first to buy the latest iPhone models.