There is a particular kind of phone anxiety that kicks in around 4pm in Dubai. You have spent the day jumping between meetings, WhatsApp, calls and traffic, used Google Maps more than once, ordered a coffee, checked a few emails, and somehow your battery is already under 30 per cent. You still have the drive home, dinner plans and the usual late-night scrolling ahead of you, and suddenly you are wondering where the nearest charger is. The REDMI Note 17 Pro 5G is built to make that feeling go away.

Its headline act is a very large silicon‑carbon battery. In the global version reviewed here it is rated at 8,340mAh, which is big even by today’s ambitious standards. Xiaomi reckons on more than two days of moderate use. Real life will always depend on screen brightness, 5G, photos, games and how welded you are to Instagram, but a battery this size gives you a head start before you optimise a thing. And that, more than any camera mode or AI trick, is the best reason to buy this phone.

The clever part is it does not feel like a brick. Silicon‑carbon tech packs more energy into less space, so at 8.6mm and 223g the phone is substantial without being absurd. When it does run low, 67W HyperCharge gets you to 50 per cent in about 34 minutes, and up to 22.5W wired reverse charging means that huge cell can bail out your earbuds or a friend’s phone before a flight. Xiaomi lists a 67W charger in the box, though it is worth checking with your local seller.

There is a longevity claim too: the battery is rated to keep at least 80 per cent of its capacity after 1,600 charge cycles, which Xiaomi equates to more than six years of typical use—best read as a lab benchmark rather than a cast‑iron promise.

A robust battery would matter less if the rest felt cheap, but the screen is genuinely good. It is a 6.83‑inch 1.5K AMOLED at 2772 x 1280, up to 120Hz, with 3,500 nits peak brightness for full Gulf glare and around 1,060 nits in typical use. Add 12‑bit colour, DCI‑P3 and high‑frequency PWM dimming and you have a panel built for exactly what people do on big phones: video, socials, games and endless reading. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covers the front, and Wet Touch 2.0 keeps it responsive when your fingers or the screen are damp.

Performance is sensible rather than showy. A Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 on a 4nm process handles everyday duties smoothly while keeping power draw in check, which is rather the point in a phone about endurance. In the UAE, storage runs from 6GB+128GB up to 8GB+512GB, with memory expansion borrowing storage as extra RAM. It runs Xiaomi HyperOS 3 with Google Gemini, Circle to Search and a set of AI photo tools including AI Erase Pro, AI Glare Removal and AI Image Enhancement. Handy, mostly, though the battery is still the easier thing to get excited about.

The cameras keep things refreshingly simple: a 50MP main sensor with OIS and an f/1.8 lens, an 8MP ultra‑wide, and a 16MP selfie camera, with portrait, HDR, Pro and Ultra HD modes, dual‑video and an underwater mode added over the air. The one real compromise is video, which tops out at 1080p at 30fps, conservative in 2026. For everyday shots, social posts and portraits, though, it covers the basics well.

Toughness is where Xiaomi has gone unusually hard. The Pro carries IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings, has passed lab immersion at up to two metres for 72 hours, and is SGS‑certified for a three‑metre drop onto granite under test conditions. None of that makes it indestructible, and water resistance fades with wear, but it is real reassurance at this price. You also get stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, NFC, an IR blaster, an in‑display fingerprint reader, dual SIM with eSIM and dual‑band Wi‑Fi. In the UAE it comes in Black, Satin Orange and Sky Blue.

If you want the very biggest battery, the REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G sits above it with a record 10,000mAh cell in global markets (and 9,210mAh in some regions), up to three days on a charge and faster 100W charging, along with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 5, up to 16GB of RAM with memory extension, a sharper 32MP front camera and 4K video. It shares the same 6.83‑inch 3,500‑nit screen and Titan Quality toughness, and costs Dhs1,799, or Dhs1,999 for the 512GB version.

Back to the Pro, though, because it is the smarter buy. Its defining feature is not a party trick you will use twice. It is a battery that changes the rhythm of the day: reaching the evening without doing charge maths, travelling without automatically packing a power bank, using maps and video without treating every percentage point as a scarce resource.

At Dhs1,499, that is a lot of phone, and a lot less worry, for the money.

Note: If you want the very biggest battery, the REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G sits above it with a record 10,000mAh cell in global markets (and 9,210mAh in some regions), up to three days on a charge and faster 100W charging, along with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 5, up to 16GB of RAM with memory extension, a sharper 32MP front camera and 4K video. It shares the same 6.83‑inch 3,500‑nit screen and Titan Quality toughness, and costs Dhs1,799, or Dhs1,999 for the 512GB version.

REDMI Note 17 Pro 5G specifications

Display: 6.83‑inch AMOLED, 2772 x 1280, up to 120Hz, 3,500 nits peak, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, 
processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4, 4nm, octa‑core up to 2.4GHz
RAM and storage: 6GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, 8GB+512GB, with memory expansion
, rear cameras: 50MP main with OIS, f/1.8; 8MP ultra‑wide
Front camera: 16MP, battery: 8,340mAh (typical) silicon‑carbon, charging: 67W HyperCharge, up to 22.5W wired reverse charging
, durability: IP66, IP68, IP69, IP69K; SGS‑certified three‑metre drop
 and price: Dhs1,499 (8GB+256GB), Dhs1,749 (8GB+512GB)

The REDMI Note 17 Series was announced on 24 September 2026. Specifications and prices as provided by Xiaomi; some features and availability vary by market.

Shure has launched its IntelliMix Bar Pro in the UAE and wider Gulf region, introducing the conferencing system at an event in Dubai.

The launch comes as companies across the region increase their use of artificial intelligence (AI) in workplace applications. Microsoft’s 2026 Global AI Diffusion Report said the UAE had an AI diffusion rate of 70.1 per cent of the working-age population, while PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey found that 70 per cent of Middle East CEOs had a defined roadmap for AI initiatives.

The IntelliMix Bar Pro is a Microsoft Teams-certified all-in-one video bar designed for medium and large meeting rooms. It combines IntelliMix View AI video framing with onboard IntelliMix audio processing.

The system is designed to capture speech and video from participants across a meeting room, providing inputs that can be used by AI-based tools for functions including transcription and meeting summaries.

“Shure has long been at the forefront of meeting room innovation, delivering audio solutions that empower effective collaboration,” said Ekta Shetty, senior sales director for Africa, Middle East, India, Southeast Asia and Pacific at Shure. “As organisations increasingly embrace AI-powered meeting experiences, high-quality audio has become more critical than ever. When every word is captured and transcribed with clarity, AI can generate more accurate insights, drive greater efficiency, and enable more productive interactions. Together, we’re helping customers create smarter, more connected workplaces around the world.”

Audio and video processing

The system’s onboard IntelliMix audio processing is designed to isolate voices and reduce background noise, while IntelliMix View AI provides automated video framing for participants around the room.

“IntelliMix Bar Pro is designed to provide the clear audio capture, intelligent video capabilities, and enterprise-grade reliability that modern workplaces demand. By delivering richer, more accurate inputs for both participants and AI-powered tools, it helps organisations drive greater productivity, engagement, and insight from every meeting” said Yassine Mannai, associate director, Sales & Marketing, Middle East & Africa, Turkey and CIS at Shure.

The Dubai event was held in partnership with NMK Electronics, a Midwich Group company, at NMK Beyond.

Shure also demonstrated other products from its collaboration portfolio, including the MXA925 Ceiling Array Microphone, SLX-D+, Microflex Wireless neXt with Fusion Mode, MXA901 and IntelliMix Foundation System.

Microsoft Teams integration

The IntelliMix Bar Pro is built on the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform, or MDEP, and has received Microsoft Teams certification.

The certification means the device has been tested against Microsoft’s requirements for Teams-compatible meeting-room hardware.

IT teams can manage and update the system remotely through ShureCloud, while integration is also available with Microsoft Pro Management Portal and ServiceNow.

“AI is advancing at an incredible pace, fundamentally changing how we communicate and collaborate,” said Alex Kemanes, MD MESEA at NMK Electronics. “What has always set Shure apart is its understanding that great collaboration is not about one product, but the entire experience. From capture and processing to playback, software and management, Shure has built an ecosystem that works as one, becoming even more powerful as AI reshapes the workplace.”

Shure and NMK have worked together for more than three decades, with NMK supporting Shure’s regional distribution and market presence.

The launch of Apple’s iPhone 18 has sharply increased activity in the UAE’s second-hand smartphone market, with both listings and buyer interest rising after the latest model went on sale.

Data from dubizzle comparing September 9, the day the iPhone 18 was announced, with September 18, when the device became available in stores, shows a substantial increase in activity around iPhones on the platform.

The number of new iPhone listings jumped 810 per cent, from 258 on the announcement day to 2,348 on the day the iPhone 18 went on sale. At the same time, views of iPhone advertisements rose 88 per cent, increasing from 52,600 to 98,700.

Read more: Buying the new iPhone 18? These countries offer the lowest prices

The figures point to increased activity on both sides of the resale market as consumers respond to the arrival of a new generation of Apple’s smartphone.

New iPhone launch drives resale supply

The sharp increase in listings on September 18 suggests that a significant number of existing iPhone owners waited for the new model to become available before selling their current devices.

That creates a familiar pattern in the smartphone market. Consumers who purchase the latest model can quickly become sellers of their previous phones, adding more devices to the pool available to second-hand buyers.

The effect is not limited to 1 particular iPhone generation. As more owners upgrade, older models can appear on the resale market across different storage capacities, specifications and price ranges.

For buyers, that can mean a wider selection of used iPhones becomes available at the same time that attention is focused on Apple’s latest release.

Buyer activity rises alongside listings

The increase in supply was accompanied by a rise in consumer interest. iPhone advertisement views reached 98,700 on the iPhone 18’s release date, compared with 52,600 on the announcement date.

That represents an 88% increase and indicates that the additional inventory was accompanied by higher levels of browsing activity.

The figures also show that the impact of a major smartphone launch can extend beyond demand for the newest model itself. While some consumers may be focused on purchasing the latest device, others can use the increased availability of previous generations to enter the market or replace an existing phone.

For sellers, the launch of a new model can therefore coincide with a period of increased activity for their older devices.

A cycle between new and used devices

Matthew Gregory, senior director of Strategy at dubizzle, said major smartphone launches affect the secondary market as consumers move between buying new devices and selling their existing ones.

“Major smartphone launches have an impact that extends well beyond the introduction of a new device to the market. At dubizzle, we see this reflected in the secondary market, where consumers upgrading to the latest models put their existing devices up for sale, while other buyers actively search for iPhones across different generations and price points,” Gregory said.

He added that the increase in listings and views around the iPhone 18 release illustrates how quickly activity can change when a major smartphone enters the market.

“The significant increase in both listings and views around the iPhone 18 release demonstrates how quickly consumer behaviour can shift when a major new device enters the market,” Gregory said.

Resale market gains from upgrade cycle

The data suggests that the launch of a new smartphone can create activity across several parts of the device market rather than concentrating interest solely on the latest product.

As consumers upgrade, their previous phones can move into the resale market, giving other buyers access to devices that might otherwise remain in use or outside the market.

That process can also extend the period during which smartphones remain in circulation. A device sold by 1 consumer can subsequently be used by another, potentially delaying its replacement with a new handset.

For the UAE’s second-hand smartphone market, the iPhone 18 launch therefore provided a clear example of how a major product release can influence both supply and consumer activity. The jump in listings from 258 to 2,348, alongside the increase in advertisement views from 52,600 to 98,700, shows the scale of the movement recorded on dubizzle between the announcement and retail launch dates.

The figures also underline the connection between the new-device and resale markets: as some consumers move toward the latest iPhone, others gain more opportunities to buy earlier generations on the second-hand market.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan travelled from Abu Dhabi to Dubai aboard Etihad Rail on Monday as the country moved closer to the launch of its national passenger rail service.

The journey took place ahead of the inauguration of Etihad Rail’s Dubai Station, which was opened by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of Etihad Rail.

Read more: Etihad airways and Etihad Rail’s new UAE travel plan could change how passengers get around

Passenger services between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah are scheduled to begin on September 30, marking the start of regular passenger operations on the UAE’s national railway network.

The opening of the Dubai station is part of the broader rollout of the passenger network, which is designed to connect major cities and regions across the country by rail.

President reviews rail operations

During the journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed reviewed Etihad Rail’s operations, national objectives and passenger services. He was also briefed on the systems and facilities being prepared for the start of passenger operations, a WAM report said.

After arriving in Dubai, the President met Emirati professionals working on the rail project.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President; and other senior officials.

During a tour of the Dubai station, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Theyab reviewed the facility’s passenger services, operational systems and technology.

The tour covered the passenger journey through the station, including arrival, ticketing, boarding and onward travel.

Dubai station links rail and public transport

Sheikh Hamdan said the Dubai station would connect the emirate with Abu Dhabi and other parts of the UAE, while adding another component to Dubai’s transport infrastructure.

“Etihad Rail’s Dubai Station will serve as a new gateway linking Dubai with the UAE capital and the rest of the country,” Sheikh Hamdan said, according to the statement.

He said the connection would improve access to and from Dubai and support the emirate’s wider urban and economic development.

The station is designed to connect Etihad Rail with Dubai’s existing public transport network, giving passengers options for continuing their journeys after arriving by train.

Etihad Rail’s Dubai Station is connected to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station by a dedicated pedestrian bridge, allowing passengers to transfer between the national railway and Dubai Metro.

The integration also extends to Dubai’s Nol system. Passengers can use a single QR code for Etihad Rail journeys and connected public transport services, including Metro, Tram and bus services.

Passenger fares start at Dhs39

Passenger services between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah will begin on September 30.

Tickets are available through the Etihad Rail mobile application, its website and ticket vending machines at stations. Fares start at Dhs39 for Comfort Class and Dhs109 for Premium Class.

The launch represents the next stage in the development of Etihad Rail’s national passenger network after the construction and development of the country’s wider railway infrastructure.

Sheikh Theyab said the passenger network’s launch marked a milestone in the implementation of the UAE’s Projects of the 50 and would strengthen connections between the emirates.

He said the railway network had developed in less than five years into an integrated national system connecting communities and business centres across the UAE.

According to Sheikh Theyab, the network is intended to expand access to economic and employment opportunities while supporting the country’s transport infrastructure.

He also pointed to demand for services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, saying it reflected public interest in passenger rail and its potential role in meeting mobility needs.

Each additional extension of the network, he said, would further connect the emirates and create opportunities for economic and social development.

Etihad Rail Mobility to operate passenger services

Passenger operations will be handled by Etihad Rail Mobility, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis, an international passenger transport operator.

The partnership brings together Etihad Rail’s national railway infrastructure and Keolis’ experience in passenger transport operations.

The operating company will be responsible for running passenger services as the UAE begins the next stage of its national rail programme.

The Dubai station is expected to play a central role in that network because of its links with the city’s existing transport infrastructure.

For passengers travelling into Dubai, the pedestrian connection to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station provides a direct link to the Dubai Metro system. The Nol integration is also intended to simplify transfers between rail and other forms of public transport.

The launch comes as the UAE expands the role of rail within its national transport system, with the passenger network initially connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah.

With the Dubai station now inaugurated and services scheduled to begin on Sept. 30, Etihad Rail is moving from infrastructure development into the operation of a national passenger service.

Crude oil exports from key Middle East producers rebounded in September to 16.328 million barrels per day (bpd), the highest since the US-Israeli war on Iran started in late February, data from Kpler showed on Monday, as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates boosted exports.

The rebound came following a recovery in exports via the Strait of Hormuz, which were set to hit about 9.719 million bpd this month, as Saudi Arabia diverted oil exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu following attacks that damaged its East-West pipeline, the preliminary data showed.

While exports from the region – which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran – have rebounded, they were still about 3.2 million bpd down from 19.513 million bpd in February, according to Kpler.

The tally includes cargo transits via the Strait of Hormuz including ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman, shipments from the UAE’s Fujairah and Oman terminals outside the Strait of Hormuz and exports via the Red Sea.

“Kpler estimates Middle East crude exports at just under 80 per cent of pre-conflict levels,” it said in a Monday note.

Top regional exporter Saudi Arabia was on track to ship about 5.4 million bpd this month, rebounding from 2.446 million bpd in August, the data showed.

September shipments from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura port in the Gulf jumped to about 3.25 million bpd, from 929,000 bpd in August, but still lower than the 6.411 million bpd in February, according to the data.

A total of 19 very large crude carriers (VLCCs), carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi oil each, exited the Strait of Hormuz last week, Kpler data showed.

The figures exclude any vessels that might have crossed the strait with their Automatic Identification System transponders turned off to avoid detection.

Before the Iran war started on February 28, the strait typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels per day, including tankers, gas carriers, bulkers and container vessels, accounting for some 20 per cent of the world’s daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas supply.