iPad 2 prices are dropping in the UAE in anticipation of Apple's latest version of the tablet slated for release later this week.
Some electronic shops have already dropped prices between Dh50-Dh100 and are predicting a further drop.
The official prices at the local Apple iStore are Dh2,099 for the 16GB model and Dh2,499 and Dh2,899 for the 32Gb and 64GB models.
Major electronic outlets such as Sharaf DG and Emax have not dropped their prices yet. The three models of iPad2s at Sharaf DG continues to sell for Dh1,999, Dh2,499 and Dh3,299.
At Sheeba General Trading in Bur Dubai, a 16GB iPad2 is currently selling for Dh2,250, while the 32GB and 64 GB models are going for Dh2,600 and Dh2,900.
At Ratan's Electronics the 16GB iPad 2 is priced at Dh1,835, while a 32Gb is selling for Dh2,595 and the 64GB model at Dh2,950.
According to Bittu of Sheeba Electronics, prices could soon drop by another $50 during the coming weeks.
"Some of the models are already being sold for Dh50 to100 less compared to last week," he said.
Sales figures for iPad2 however continue to remain the same. "We are selling the same number of apple tablets like we were about a month ago. We have so far not seen a trend where buyers are waiting for the new model to release," he said.
Mohammed Sajid of Ratan's Electronics was also of the similar opinion. "The prices might drop marginally during the coming weeks, but sales figures so far continue to remain the same," he said.
Meanwhile, iPads are selling cheap on online trading sites as users are dumping their old tablets for the new model.
There has been a global rush for disposal of old iPads ever since Apple officially announced that it plans to launch its new iPad3 on March 7.
According to a report by Computer World, an online company that buys back old phones in the US has had a 500 per cent increase in those expressing their interest in selling off their old phones.
Similarly online auction site eBay too is witnessing increasing number of trade-in offers this year compared to the month before the launch of iPad2.
However, there was not much activity of local classifieds such as Dubizzle and the Olx.ae with just limited ads offering used iPads.
eBay has witnessed 10 times more tablet sales in February with 98 per cent of them being iPads.
"People are very eager for the iPad 3," said Anthony Scarsella, the chief gadget officer of Gazelle, adding that the jump took place a lot earlier than it did last year with the iPad when the second version was about to be introduced, the Computer World report said.
Gazelle is one of several companies that purchase older devices, including smartphones and tablets, from users, then refurbish and resell them direct to consumers via eBay and Amazon.com, as well as to wholesalers.
Sent from my iPad 2 - Ť€©ћ№©¶@τ
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