Apple has delivered on their announcement near end of 2024, launching the online Apple Store in Saudi Arabia. This makes it the second official market after the UAE, bringing the entire digital storefront for consumers spanning the market. Apple CEO Tim Cook even posted about it with a nice animated Arabic calligraphy video.
People in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain may feel some resentment as they have to contend with Apple Authorized Resellers. These resellers offer only a fraction of the entire shopping experience.
Same Online Apple Store privileges
Just like every other Apple Store, you get access to many of the retail services
- The Apple Trade In program: trade in you current device and receive credit toward a new one. Not eligible for a credit? Apple will recycle it for free, diverting electronic waste from landfills and saving precious materials.
- Apple Education Store: save on a Mac or iPad with Apple education pricing. This is open to higher education students, their parents, and teachers and staff at all levels. Until September 30, you ca avail the back-to-school offer that includes AirPods or an accessory of their choice when you buy an eligible Mac/iPad.
- Personalized shopping support via chat and phone: helping customers to find the best product that suits their needs. Customers can also connect with an Apple team member online for assitance with Personal Setup, switching to iOS with easy and safe data migration, as well as cellular activation.
- The most major one IMHO is the custom build-to-order options for the Mac (desktop and laptops), iPad, and more.
One nifty addition is the affordability option through Tamara. This offers a local Buy Now Pay Later solution, allowing customers to shop and pay in four-month installments at 0% interest.
On-going plans
Those who reside in the country can access it in both English and Arabic via the web, and can also use the Apple Store app on their iPhone/iPad to shop. Customers who order online have the option of free engraving to personalize their AirPods, Apple Pencil, AirTag, and more (text, emoji, and numbers in either language). The official presence joins the existing Apple Authorizes Resellers.
This is the first step in their presence in Saudi Arabia, building up to their first retail store planned to open in Diriyah (north of Riyadh) sometime in 2026. That will give you the in-store trade-in option as well. The momentum builds on their earlier presence that include the region’s first Apple Developer Academy (opened in Riyadh in 2021 in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University).
Image Credit: Apple Newsroom
