Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16e, a new addition to the iPhone 16 family, combining high performance and powerful features with a more accessible price point.

Equipped with the A18 chip and Apple’s first-ever cellular modem, C1, the iPhone 16e delivers industry-leading performance, long battery life, and enhanced connectivity options.

The iPhone 16e comes with an impressive 48MP Fusion camera, integrated with a 2x telephoto lens, allowing users to capture detailed photos and videos with ease.

The device also incorporates cutting-edge satellite communication features such as Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and the ability to send messages or share location when outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

Available in sleek black and white matte finishes, iPhone 16e will be available for pre-order starting Friday, February 21, with general availability set for February 28.

“We are thrilled to bring the iPhone 16e to market as a powerful, more affordable option, allowing more people to experience the capabilities of the iPhone 16 lineup,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “With its robust performance, breakthrough battery life, and seamless integration of Apple Intelligence, iPhone 16e is designed to offer users more value.”

Stunning design and extended battery life

Built with durability in mind, the iPhone 16e is splash, water, and dust resistant, earning an IP68 rating, and features a Ceramic Shield front cover — tougher than any other smartphone glass. T

The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display provides an edge-to-edge viewing experience, making it ideal for video streaming, gaming, and reading.

Thanks to the highly efficient A18 chip and innovative power management, iPhone 16e offers the best battery life ever seen in a 6.1-inch iPhone. Users can expect up to six hours more battery life than the iPhone 11, and up to 12 hours more than the iPhone SE.

Powered by A18 chip and C1 modem

The A18 chip powers iPhone 16e, offering smooth performance with up to 80% faster processing compared to the A13 chip in older iPhone models. The 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU deliver excellent speed and impressive graphics, while the 16-core Neural Engine accelerates machine learning tasks up to six times faster.

Apple’s C1 modem — the first-ever cellular modem designed by the company — provides fast 5G connectivity and exceptional power efficiency, contributing to the device’s outstanding battery performance.

Apple Intelligence: Enhanced privacy and AI features

iPhone 16e introduces Apple Intelligence, a personal AI system designed to enhance user experience while prioritising privacy. The device features the Clean Up tool, enabling users to easily remove unwanted elements in photos, and a natural language search function in the photos app to find images using simple descriptions.

Additionally, iPhone 16e offers creative tools like Image Playground, Genmoji, and Writing Tools for self-expression, and integrates ChatGPT for faster, more seamless responses within the system. Apple Intelligence ensures all data processing happens on-device, with privacy-conscious features, like the groundbreaking Private Cloud Compute, to further protect user data.

Introducing the ‘Action Button’ and ‘Visual Intelligence’

A standout feature on the iPhone 16e is the customisable Action button, providing users with quick access to functions such as the camera, flashlight, music recognition, and much more. It can even activate third-party apps like Snapchat or FordPass for in-app tasks.

Visual intelligence takes advantage of the device’s powerful AI, enabling users to identify objects, translate text in real-time, and even look up information on the internet — all through a simple press of the Action button. This feature also makes it easier to identify plants, animals, and contact information, offering greater convenience for everyday use.

Advanced camera

The iPhone 16e features a powerful 48MP Fusion camera system with a 2x Telephoto lens, allowing users to capture sharp, high-resolution photos and videos. In Night mode and Portrait mode, the camera excels at balancing light and detail for vibrant images. The front-facing TrueDepth camera ensures sharper selfies and group shots.

For video enthusiasts, iPhone 16e supports 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 60 frames per second and comes with spatial audio for immersive audio experiences.

Users can also enhance their video sound with features like ‘Audio Mix’, which lets them adjust voice and background noise after recording.

Safety and connectivity for peace of mind

Apple continues to prioritise user safety with iPhone 16e’s satellite connectivity features, including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and the ability to send messages or share location even when off the grid.

Crash detection can also detect severe car accidents and automatically alert emergency services.

Sustainability in focus

In alignment with Apple’s 2030 environmental goals, the iPhone 16e is crafted using over 30 per cent recycled materials, including recycled cobalt and lithium in the battery and 85 per cent recycled aluminium in the enclosure.

The product’s packaging is fully fiber-based, reducing the use of plastics, in line with Apple’s efforts to eliminate plastic from packaging by the end of this year.

iPhone 16e pricing and availability

The iPhone 16e will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options, starting at Dhs2,599.

Pre-orders will open on February 21, with availability beginning February 28 in 59 countries and regions, including the US, UK, UAE, Japan, India, and more.

Customers will also be able to purchase AppleCare+ for additional support and iCloud+ for extra storage, with various subscription options available. To complement their purchase, new iPhone 16e users can enjoy three months of free access to Apple services like Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, and more.

Aldar Properties has unveiled the launch of The Wilds, its third residential development in Dubai, in partnership with Dubai Holding.

Designed to integrate luxurious residences with pristine natural surroundings, The Wilds aims to offer a scenic retreat for families.

A first of its kind in Dubai, The Wilds will feature the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife within a residential community in the emirate.

The development will incorporate a variety of habitats, including ponds, lawns, and dry stream areas, with duck houses blending seamlessly into water streams.

The community will also host manmade bird nests, bee-keeping zones, and a variety of native plants, fostering a harmonious balance between residential living and nature.

“We are extremely excited to introduce The Wilds, our third residential community in Dubai, and one that will become the most sought-after green development in the emirate,” said Jonathan Emery, CEO of Aldar Development.

“A design masterpiece inspired by Mother Nature, The Wilds is a place where people and nature will live and grow together. It will nurture the health, wellbeing, and development of children while fostering a sense of responsibility for protecting the environment for future generations.”

The centrepiece of the development will be The Nest, a community pavilion designed to complement the natural environment. This visual landmark will serve as a gathering space for residents and include a wildlife observation and environmental learning area for children.

Key features of The Wilds

Located along Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, opposite Global Village, The Wilds has nearly 1,700 homes planned, including five- and six-bedroom mansions designed by renowned Lebanese architect Nabil Gholam.

The development will also feature three- to five-bedroom villas and one- to three-bedroom apartments, all surrounded by eco-corridors and green spaces offering privacy within nature.

The community will also include a premium international school with outdoor learning spaces, retail hubs, clubhouses, a nursery, a clinic, and two mosques. Emphasising inclusivity, The Wilds will offer adaptive play areas, including musical flowers and sensory retreats designed for people of determination.

For those with active lifestyles, the community will provide state-of-the-art fitness zones, tennis, padel, and basketball courts.

Relaxation options will include shaded wellness pavilions, meditation spaces, resort-style swimming pools, and cocoon hammocks. Walking and cycling trails will wind through the development, offering residents opportunities to explore and unwind.

The Wilds will also become the first community in the UAE to achieve the highest sustainability and wellness certifications, with LEED Platinum and Fitwel 3-star ratings. These accolades underscore Aldar’s commitment to promoting sustainable living and innovative building practices.

The launch follows the success of Aldar’s previous developments, Haven and Athlon, which sold out within hours of release, highlighting strong demand for wellness-focused, active living communities in Dubai.

The Wilds will officially launch for sale on February 27 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

Etihad Airways reported a solid financial performance for 2024, posting a profit after tax of Dhs1.7bn ($476m) driven by substantial increases in passenger and cargo revenues.

The airline’s total revenue surged 25 per cent year-on-year to Dhs25.3bn ($6.9bn), propelled by a 32 per cent rise in passenger numbers and a 24 per cent increase in cargo revenue.

The airline carried 18.5 million passengers in 2024, up from 14 million in 2023, reflecting sustained demand across its expanding network.

The passenger business alone generated Dhs20.8bn ($5.7bn), while cargo contributed Dhs4.2bn ($1.1bn).

Etihad’s performance also benefitted from a 28 per cent year-on-year increase in available seat kilometres (ASK) and an improved passenger load factor of 87 per cent, up from 86 per cent in 2023.

Etihad routes

The airline’s operational efficiency showed notable improvements, with increased flight frequencies on 25 routes and more than 20 new destinations added in 2024, including Boston, Jaipur, Bali, and Nairobi.

Over the next year, Etihad will launch additional destinations, including summer hotspots such as Antalya, Nice, and Santorini. The carrier’s fleet continued to grow with 12 new aircraft, including six A320 NEOs and the re-entry of its fifth A380.

Etihad also continued its commitment to sustainability, boasting one of the region’s youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets. The carrier has furthered its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals through these fleet improvements.

In a move to enhance customer service, Etihad introduced a dedicated premium call centre and upgraded its website and mobile app with over 200 enhancements.

The airline also approved a significant Dhs3bn retrofit programme, its largest ever, aimed at improving cabin comfort and inflight experience.

Etihad’s loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, also reached a milestone of 10 million members.

Industry awards recognised Etihad’s service excellence, including ‘Best Cabin Crew’ and ‘Best Customer Experience’. AirlineRatings.com also named Etihad Environmental Airline of the Year for the third consecutive year.

New hires and employee force

Etihad’s workforce grew to over 11,000 employees, with more than 2,000 new hires and over 1,500 promotions.

The airline also made strides in advancing UAE National Talent initiatives, with over 70 Emirati cadet pilots graduating in 2024.

Chairman Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa praised the airline’s success, stating, “Our commitment to offering best-in-class service has strengthened our operations, boosted efficiency, and helped deliver remarkable results. As we expand our network and enhance our offerings, we continue to support Abu Dhabi’s tourism ambitions and position ourselves as the airline everyone wants to fly.”

The airline’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves expressed confidence in the airline’s future growth, highlighting the continued success in profitability and customer satisfaction. “These results demonstrate the dedication of our people, who have driven both sustainable growth and extraordinary customer experiences.”

The airline’s financial performance was further bolstered by a decrease in operating costs, with both CASK (cost per available seat kilometre) and CASK ex-fuel down by 3 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively.

Etihad’s EBITDA grew 32 per cent to Dhs4.7bn ($1.3bn), reflecting the success of its cost-efficiency measures.

Etihad’s strong financial and operational results have been recognised by credit rating agency Fitch, which upgraded the airline’s credit rating to A+ in July 2024, citing a stronger credit profile and improved financial performance.

The UAE has become the leading recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Middle East, capturing nearly half, 45.4 per cent, of all flows, worth as much as $67.6 bn, according to the latest available figures in UNCTAD’s World Investment Report. The UAE was also the best FDI performer in the world relative to the size of its economy.

This is not surprising given how much importance federal and local governments have been giving FDI in the context of its economic ambitions. As well as ensuring the basics are in place, like safety and security, the country has worked hard to enhance policies and regulations.

Public-private collaboration

NextGenFDI is another initiative encouraging entrepreneurship and collaboration between the public and private sectors. FDI growth has come across a variety of sectors, including real estate.

Dubai’s property prices are expected to grow by 9.9 per cent in 2025 (Savills), having swelled by 19.9 per cent last year (Knight Frank), thanks to the continuing influx of wealthy foreign buyers from the UK, Europe and Asia. These are attracted by new, more liberal regulations such as residency permits for retirees, as well as greater job opportunities, and lifestyle considerations.

Nearly a fifth of all homes are already valued at $1m. According to Knight Frank’s estimates, 5 per cent growth in the prime residential segment is expected this year, and 300,000 new homes are due to come onto the market from now until 2029.

Alternative investment managers have been instrumental in structuring capital-intensive deals like build-to-rent portfolios, which continue to attract institutional investors. More importantly, alternative investment managers themselves act as FDI enablers, helping channel institutional capital into the market.

One recent development is the Central Bank of the UAE’s directive for banks to exclude the Dubai Land Department registration fees and broker fees from mortgage deals. Buyers now need a larger down payment with an additional 6 per cent, approximately, on top of the 20 per cent of the property value.

We welcome this move as it is the sign of a mature real estate market attracting quality buyers who are more financially prepared, reducing the risks of default or foreclosure. For a property worth Dhs4m, for example, the new rules mean an additional Dhs240,000 which adds strain, making a case for quality buyers entering the secondary market. It brings the UAE in line with international practice (international banks have never offered this facility), where financing systems play a stabilising role.

Prime real estate to see continuing growth

I also do not believe that it will affect the luxury segment much as it is a relatively small amount of the total costs. I expect the luxury and ultra-luxury segments to enjoy continued growth for several reasons.

Firstly, several developers have been working with luxury partners on non-water-based sites, to upgrade the design and specifications, and ensure good amenities and transport connectivity. Property value here can be increased by 15-20 per cent.

The second factor is that compared with New York, London or Singapore, prices for luxury homes are lower, meaning investors can derive more value here. And the average plot size is bigger in Dubai, for both the floor (livable) and the open area (garden, terrace).

A third driver is the stable and growing build-to-rent market and the higher annual yields obtainable in the UAE — typically 7-8 per cent compared with only 3 per cent in Europe. Although buyers include high-net-worth individuals and companies, most of our international investors, about 70-80 per cent, are made up of foreign pension funds and feeder funds.

Once a player has invested in the property, which takes about three years to build, and when the rent has stabilised over four years (when 90 per cent of the property is rented), they can sell it to an institutional investor.

The GCC-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement, which is nearing completion, should also provide a further fillip to real estate FDI in the UAE. Of course, there are no guarantees in investments, but I see plenty of upside in this market yet, for relatively low risk.

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The writer is a managing partner at Global Partners, a DFSA-regulated alternative investment manager.

In a dazzling celebration of ambition and innovation, Dubai’s skyline is about to welcome a new giant.

Azizi Developments, one of the city’s leading private real estate developers, unveiled the spectacular Burj Azizi, the world’s second-tallest tower, at 725 meters.

The highly anticipated project, which represents a historic milestone for the company and its founder and chairman, Mirwais Azizi, was revealed at a glittering event at the Coca-Cola Arena on February 18.

The launch event attracted over 15,000 guests from various sectors, including government officials, investors, business leaders, and international media.

The evening ended with a performance by global music icon Jennifer Lopez. The pop superstar brought the house down with a medley of her biggest hits, delivering a high-energy dance performance that had the audience on their feet.

Global sales launch in major cities worldwide

The event, which marked the official celebration of Burj Azizi’s launch, marks the start of global sales from February 19, across several major cities worldwide.

Locations for the sales launch include Dubai (Conrad Hotel), Hong Kong (The Peninsula), London (The Dorchester), Mumbai (JW Marriott Juhu), Singapore (Marina Bay Sands), Sydney (Four Seasons Hotel), and Tokyo (Palace Hotel).

Sales will also be available online.

Azizi expressed his immense pride, saying, “In cities like Dubai, new projects emerge regularly. But a project like Burj Azizi is a once-in-a-generation achievement. I am beyond thrilled to announce that this dream, which has been years in the making, is now on its way to becoming a reality.”

Azizi also expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from Dubai’s leadership, stating, “Burj Azizi is not just a building; it is a tribute to Dubai’s remarkable growth on the world stage. We are honoured to contribute to the city’s legacy, and I am deeply thankful for the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as well as the support of the Dubai authorities.”

Burj Azizi to be completed in 2028

Set to be completed by 2028, Burj Azizi will stand as a stunning architectural feat, offering a mix of residential, hotel, retail, and entertainment spaces.

The tower will feature an ultra-luxury shopping mall, home to leading high-end fashion brands, and luxurious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.

Each of the residential floors will have dedicated amenity floors, offering state-of-the-art facilities such as swimming pools, a spa, a games room, a business centre, a cinema, a restaurant, and even a supermarket.

At the tower’s pinnacle will sit a world-class seven-star hotel, offering rooms and restaurants themed around Arabic, Chinese, Persian, Indian, Turkish, French, and Russian cultures. The hotel will also include a luxury ballroom and beach club, making it a significant addition to Dubai’s hospitality landscape.

The tower’s many records include the highest observation deck on level 130, the highest hotel lobby on level 111, the highest nightclub on level 126, and the highest restaurant on level 122, among others.

At the very top, a special museum will showcase the evolution of the building, with multimedia exhibits recognising key figures involved in its creation.