Jarir launched First Nokia Android Phone in Kingdom

Jarir, a famous technology retailer in Saudi Arabia recently launched first android device from Nokia corporation "Nokia X" with Android operating system.

It is a dual sim smart phone with 4 inch screen, it is said to be having a separate app store than Google play store. It is a lightweight phone with 128.7 g weight. It seems an average to low budget smartphone with 3 MP camera, 1GHz Dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor and 512MB Ram . Nokia X is available in 6 colors from official manufacturer Nokia. Nokia X is a series of Nokia X family consisting of 3 models, Nokia X, Nokia X+ and Nokia XL. Microsoft and Nokia worked together and introduced a new app market for this where you can download various android os apps.Find full specification at Nokia's website

Saudis take to mobile repairing in Riyadh

A Saudi customer is served in a mobile shop at a market in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - AP Photo

Expatriates have for many years been the ones running mobile phone repair shops in Saudi Arabia, but now in Riyadh one can find Saudis managing many shops and reaping a portion of the business’s massive profits.

These service shops do not include extensive repairs, but services like helping customers with installing programs, opening accounts online — such as Google, iTunes and others — as well as upgrading mobile phone’s software, transferring mobile data (contacts, multimedia messages and other files) and downloading and installing games.

According to them, they earn an average SR 7,000 per month or more. These young Saudis do not have qualifications, but have acquired their skills by experience.

There is a strong demand for smartphone applications and maintenance. Most customers request services related to smartphone applications, especially chat and music apps.

“Workers in this field have to be honest and have integrity to preserve costumer’s information and privacy,” said Ali Al-Kuraidis, who owns and works in one of the shops. “Currently expatriates constitute 70 percent of those working in the field.”

Sami Al-Ashqar, an 18-year-old who works in one of the shops, said he entered the field because of his childhood passion for technology, as well as the field’s profitability.

“Since I was 16, I have supported myself completely without my father’s support,” he said. When he started out, he worked in a mobile shop making SR 1,500 a month.

Report by Arabnews

Samsung Attack on iPhone 5 and Reply from Apple Fans

Recently in a Print Advertisment Samsung targeted Apple's iPhone 5 Features and compared it with there best player Galaxy S3. The advertisement was published in a USA's newspapers few days ago. The purpose of this ad was probabally to show weak points of iPhone 5 and raise the powerful points of Galaxy S3. The ad says "It doesn't take a geniuos" and “The next big thing is already here.” Actually it was a bold move from samsung against apple to directly comparing their product with Samsung's product.

Advertisement from Samsung

First Look of iPhone 5 and its Specification

Apple's iPhone which is one of the world's favorite smartphone has launched its new model iPhone 5 today which is one of the biggest innovation happened with iPhone devices as Apple claimed. It is thinner, lighter and so much more than previous versions of the iPhone. It has most biggest screen among all previous smartphones of its series. A 4 inch Retina Display. The 4 inch Retina screen has a resolution of 640 x 1136 pixels with 326 pixels per inch density. Apple didn't join the trend of biggest smartphone screen contest like Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X and Galaxy Note. They say it is not just bigger but it is just the right screen size a human needs and remain comfortable with that seems eventually true. My personal experience says that smartphones with too big Display size makes them difficult to carry and uncomfortable to use. Although it is more fun to play games and watch movies on bigger screens, but that is a seprate issue.

Another improvement in iPhone 5 is its ultrafast wireless connectivity, data upload and download which is; as per my knowledge fastest download in any available device yet. Apple also added 4G LTE connectivity which doesn't exist in any previous version of the iPhone. The figures are just awesome.

Nokia 808 Pure View Just arrived in KSA

The remarkable Nokia phone Nokia 808 Pure View just arrived in Saudi Arabia. Jarir Bookstore probably the first one who launched this super phone from Nokia. Most exciting feature in this powerful smartphone is its super strong 41 Mega Pixel Camera with Nokia Pureview Pro imaging technology and Carl Zeiss optics. Powerful 1.3Ghz process with a graphic accelerator makes this phone a faster machine. It is biggest Nokia screen 4 inch AMOLED with 16M colors support. However not like iPhone or HTC Smartphones it has a medium screen resolution. Only 640 x 360 with 184ppi pixel density. It also support multitouch and comes with Gorilla Glass Corning protection.

Nokia 808 Pure View has 16GB Internal storage and 1GB Rom, it has 512MB Ram and microSD support too.

Nokia 808 Pure View can download 14.4 MBPS (HSDPA) data and HSUPA 5.76MBPS.

Nokia's camera comes with Xenon Flash, Geo Tagging, Face Detection and Autofocus features. It has support for Full HD 1080p video recording with 30 frames per second.

It has Nokia Belle (previously called Symbian) Operating system which makes it an outstanding Nokia Phone. The battery power is 1400mAh which is sufficient enough to provide 11 hours talk time.

Price of Nokia 808 Pure View (Saudi Arabia): 1999 Saudi Riyal

For more Nokia Prices in Saudi Arabia Visit Nokia Prices Category.

Update: Samsung Galaxy S 3 Price in Saudi Srabia

I recently published price and availability post on Samsung Galaxy S 3 in Saudi Arabia. However I have found an update in Price of Galaxy S3. eXtra store has published new promotion offers in which they set best price of this device in Saudi Arabia.

Samsug Galaxy S 3 i9300: 2499 Saudi Riyal

The offer is valid till 12 June 2012. This price was only mentioned in the publication and after browsing eXtra's website for a while I didn't find the device available for selling online. Personally I would like to go there and check the availability myself. As per my knowledge this is exclusive offer from eXtra Saudi Arabia. Take a look at publication below.

Where to buy Galaxy S3 in Saudi Arabia (locations of eXtra Stores)

Tabuk City

King AbdulAziz Road.
Tel: 04-4292367

Yanbu City

Omar Ibn Alkhattab St. After Yanbu governorate Signal, beside Yanbu hospital

Madina City

Alatiyah Al Madina Mall Quaba Road
Tel: 04-8493000

Jeddah City

Jeddah - Old Airport. Abdullah Sulaiman Street Old Airport Area

Tel: 02-6313075

Jeddah - Tahliah Street, Beside IKEA, Al - Azizeyyah Dist. /6

Tel: 02-2895336

Jeddah - Prince Sultan Street, Prince Sultan Mall

Tel: 02-2759000

Taif City

Obeikan Mall, Abu Bakr Al Seddik st P.O Box -1274 Taif - 21944
Tel:  02-7380505

Abha City

Alkhamis Road, Aasir Mall P.O Box - 1152 Abha - 61321

Tel: 07-2253322

Jizan City

Jizan - Riyadh Street 

Tel: 800-124-0900

Najran City

Khaldiah - King Abdul Aziz Street

Tel: 07-5439930

Al Kharj City

King Abdullah Road

Tel: 800-124-0900

Riyadh City

Riyadh - Badiya. Western Ring Road - Between Exit 27 - 28 

Tel: 01-4311146

Riyadh - Suwaidy. King Fahad Street Cross Swaidi Street Beside Edtaga Market

Tel: 01-4595968

Riyadh - Rimal Exit # 16 East Belt Highway Al-Rimal Mall Before IKEA Store

01-4713991

Riyadh - Al Raed King Abdullah Road, In front of King Saud University, Beside McDonalds

Tel: 01-2815250

Riyadh - Worood King AbdulAziz Street P.O. Box - 8311 Riyadh - 11482

Tel: 01-4196677

Riyadh - Khurais Khurais road EXIT 28
Tel:  01-2306722

Riyadh - Ghurnata Inside Garnada Mall Riyadh -11482

Tel: 01-2534833

Qassim City

King Khalid Street Near Court Al-Qassim P.O Box - 8311 Buraidah - 11482

Tel: 06-3263540

Hafr Al Batin City

Mohammadia District, Near Mohammadia Round About, King Faisal Street

Tel: 800-124-0900

Al Jubail City

Jalmoudah, Street 6,
Tel:  800-124-0900

Dammam City

Dammam - Al Khaleej Road, Dammam Cornich, Alkhaleej Road

Tel: 03-8171313

Dammam - Al Faisaleyah 

Tel: 800-124-0900

Khobar City

Corniche, King Faisal Road, P.O. Box #76688 Alkhobar - 31952

Tel: 03-8477777

Al Hassa City

Althoriyat Street, Beside Panda

Tel: 03-5863888

Reserve Your Samsung Galaxy SIII in Saudi Arabia

I published a comparison post on Samsung Galaxy SIII and HTC One X earlier which shows great features of Samsung Galaxy SIII. It is one of the best smart-phone samsung ever made so there must be a huge craze among people to buy one device. People in Saudi Arabia love to buy smart devices as early as they are available in market. Often Saudi youth love to take lead on their friends or coleagues on having best and latest smartphone. As we know that Samsung Galaxy SIII could be a top entry in Saudi Mobile Market and might beat sales of its competitors like HTC One X and iPhone 4S. Although this device is not yet released but it is expected very soon to release in Saudi market. It will be a good idea to reserve one device for you if you are interested in buying it before your friends buy.

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) and eXtra Stores are offering to reserve / book Samsung Galaxy SIII now and when it is arrived get it quickly. I am not sure about the price of the device yet but I expect that it wont be much price difference with both retailers. So reserve one now and be the first one to have Samsung Galaxy S3.

Reserve Samsung Galaxy SIII at STC

Visit Galaxy S3 Reservation page at STC Website, Enter your name, your mobile number, choose a color of Galaxy SIII and click Done. STC will register your mobile number and send you a short message on your mobile number as soon as the device is available.

Reserve Samsung Galaxy SIII at eXtra Stores

Reservation at eXtra Stores is little complicated than that of STC's reservation. There is no reservation method mentioned at eXtra's website. The email newsletter sent to me from eXtra states that visit nearest eXtra Stores and do the device reservation at Customer Service. The eXtra store is located at Prince Sultan Street near Ice Land in Jeddah. For location in other cities refer to their website.

Want to Get more updates, mobile prices and special offers in Saudi Arabia. Stay tuned to Saudi Telecom News Blog or Subscribe by Email, Like our Facebook Fan page or Follow us on Twitter. 

HTC One X Launch in Saudi Arabia

HTC One X, one of the top android phone of today's time will be launched in Saudi Arabia very soon. It has amazing and outstanding features that other phones don't have. Like capturing Videos and pictures at the same time from same screen. It has feature of continuous shooting which helps you never miss a shot. HTC One has authentic sound for all media and it enables you to have quick access to your top apps.

HTC One X has big 4.7 inch screen with 1280 x 720 resolution. Which gives you very small detail in very clear way. It is very light weight, only 130 grams as compared to its class.

HTC One X has 1.5GHz quad-core processor and it comes with latest Android OS version 4.0 and brand new HTC Sense 4.

HTC One X has 1GB of ram and has 32GB phone storage. HTC One X has Gyro sensor, G-Sensor, Digital compass, Proximity sensor and Ambient light sensor.

HTC One X has a 3.5mm jack which enables you to use wide range of headphones with it. It has Beats Audio installed in it. It comes with Bluetooth 4 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n. It also has DLNA for wirelessly streaming media to a supported TV or LCD TV. It also has HDMI port. HTC One X has a powerful battery 1800mAh which gives you best talk-time and stand-by time.

The most exciting thing about HTC One X is its camera that is 8 megapixel with BSI sensor thatgives you best captures in low light. It has 28mm lens and 1080p HD video recording. It has 1.3mp front camera with 720p video chatting. It has a dedicated imaging chip. It enables you to capture a photo during video recording.

When HTC One X will Launch in Saudi Arabia

HTC One X is expected to be launched in Saudi Arabia tonight (8 April 2012). I also got invited for the launch ceremony. The cermoney will be held in Bert's Café at the Coral Mall on Tahlia Street tonight. Plus, one guest will get the chance to be the first person in KSA to own the awesome HTC One X. I have found the following invitation.

HTC One X Pictures Gallery

HTC One X Front

HTC One X Right side

HTC One X Left Side

HTC One X Side view

HTC One X First Look

iPhone 4S made cheaper with STC Bundles

A Snapshot of iPhone 4S at STC Website

iPhone 4S a brand new and most favorite smartphone of current time has remarkable features that makes its price very high. It becomes difficult for a lot of people to buy who love it but cannot afford its big price. Now with STC iPhone 4S Packages it is easier for many of iPhone 4S lovers to buy it in low rates.

STC offers iPhone 4S in 3 different packages for post paid customers. Even for Prepaid customers STC offers it in lower price than the market. If we take a look at iPhone 4S prices in Saudi Arabia for last week we can see that lowest price for iPhone 4S is 3288 SR. However STC offers this great device only in 2799 SR. Additionally customer can get a free internet data bundle of 250 every month up to 6 months. Below are the detailed prices for Prepaid package.

iPhone 4S Package from STC for Prepaid Customers

iPhone 4S 16GB: 2799 SR
iPhone 4S 32GB: 3299 SR
iPhone 4S 64GB: 3659 SR
iPhone 4 8GB: 2299 SR (This is not 4S)

The special prices for iPhone 4S starts for Postpaid customers. There are 3 Postpaid packages are available for STC. 1)Basic, 2)Extra, 3)Premium. Below are more details.

Jarir has launched Samsung Galaxy Note in Saudi Arabia

Jarir Bookstore has launched Samsung Galaxy Note in Saudi Arabia. Samsung Galaxy Note features a 5.3" HD Super AMOLED touchscreen with WXGA 1280x800 pixel resolution. It has high 285dpi resolution. The 5.3 inch screen of Samsung Galaxy Note makes it a unique smartphone with largest ever screen. Which makes it something in between a smartphone and a tablet pc. It can be a good choice for the people who are confused to buy a smartphone or a tablet. Samsung Galaxy Note has a strong 1.4 GHz dual core processor, leading operating system Android OS 2.3.5 Gingerbread and 1GB of blasting ram. Galaxy Note also includes a pen that can be utilized for drawing purposes on the device screen. For users in Saudi Arabia, this device supports Arabic language too. It has a 8 megapixel rear camera and 2 megapixel front camera that makes video chatting easy. Current price of the device is SR 2999 (around US $ 800) which is a quite acceptable price as compared to iPhone 4S Price and HTC Sensation XL Price in Saudi Arabian Market.

Get Samsung Galaxy S II free with STC 249 Package

STC is offering Samsung Galaxy for free with 249 SR/month postpaid package subscribers. Additionally you can get the device in Just 719 SR if you get a postpaid subscription of 149 SR/month package. STC provides 1 year Guarantee with every device.

149 SR package also includes additional 200 voice call minutes, 200 sms, 250mb data package, 200 video call minutes and 200 mms. All this inside STC network for every month.

The postpaid package with Samsung Galaxy SII can be purchased from Riyadh, Kharj, Majmaha, Shagra, Buraidah, Onaiza, Albadaye, Alzulfi, Hail, Khober, Dammam, Alahsa, Al-Jubail (Al-Jubeil), Hafr Al-baten, Noairia, Rass Tanorah, Jeddah, Makkah, Madina, Yanbu, Al-Taif, Abha, Khamis Moshit, Baha, Najran, Jezan, Tabuk, Al-Jouf and Arar cities. However there are some restriction in this package. The are described below.

HTC EVO 3D is released in Saudi Arabia

The latest Android based smartphone HTC EVO 3D is released in Saudi Arabia by Smartphones retailer Nasa Smart Devices. The most amazing and modern feature in HTC EVO 3D is its ability to capture three dimensional pictures with its dual camera. EVO 3D has 2 different cameras at its rear side that make it possible to take 3D photos. It also has Qualcomm 1 GHz dual core processor that helps capturing high quality 2D and 3D pictures. Not only pictures but it can record a stunning 720p video in 3D.

Everyone Claims First One to Launch 4G in Saudi Arabia

It seems quite funny when we look on to the websites of all 3 Mobile Network operators in Saudi Arabia (STC, Mobily and Zain) where they highlighted, "They are the First one to launch 4G (4th Generation) Network in Saudi Arabia. I don't know who we should believe now. You can see a snapshot of the banners placed on the websites of the Mobile Network Operators in Saudi Arabia.

However upon further investigation I found that it is STC who is basically behind all this. They have started testing this in beginning of 2010 and keep on testing it and after successfully completing this they have launched it.

STC Launched BlackBerry Bold 9900 in Saudi Arabia

Update (11/9/2011): Axiom Telecom, Jarir Book Store and Haddad Telecom has also launched Bold 9900 in Saudi Arabia this week. The price is almost same at all providers.2599 Saudi Riyal

Saudi Telecom Company has launched latest BlackBerry device Bold 9900 in the Kingdom. This release from STC is exclusive in Saudi Arabia as no other mobile operator launched the elegant and thinnest Smartphone Bold 9900 yet. BlackBerry Bold 9900 that is also called BlackBerry Dakota or BlackBerry Magnum is equipped with fastest 1.2 GHz processor, and as I mentioned in my earlier post that Bold 9900 and 9300 will be launched with next generation BlackBerry 7 OS with powerful new features and innovative apps. Bold 9900 has 5 MP camera that can capture 720p HD video, additionally BlackBerry Bold 9900 supports Arabic language for the users in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern users, STC also provides 1 year warranty for this device.

STC has launched BlackBerry Bold 9900 with one-month free subscription to the BlackBerry service for only SR 2,599. At the end of the free month, the customer can subscribe to the Blackberry service for only SR 15 for one week or SR 49 for one month (This offer is valid until 23 October 2011). You can see more detail about the devices offered by STC here.

BlackBerry Bold 9900

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9300 will come with BlackBerry OS 7

New BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 Smartphones are the Thinnest and Most Powerful BlackBerry Smartphones yet, Featuring the Renowned BlackBerry Keyboard Together with a Brilliant Touch Screen and the New BlackBerry 7 OS

Research In Motion unveiled two new BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphones. The high-performance BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 smartphones feature a stunning and iconic design that integrates an incredibly easy-to-use BlackBerry keyboard with a brilliant, high resolution, capacitive touch screen. These exceptional smartphones are built on a new, performance-driven platform powered by the BlackBerry® 7 operating system and designed to deliver the ultimate in communications, multimedia and productivity for users around the world.

"The new BlackBerry Bold smartphones and BlackBerry 7 OS are inspired by millions of customers around the world who want the ultimate combination of performance, functionality and style," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO, Research In Motion. “These fully-loaded and beautifully crafted smartphones offer a highly refined user experience with blazingly fast performance, a brilliant touch screen and an outstanding typing experience.”

Thin, Sleek, Iconic Design

Distinguished by an iconic design and the industry's best keyboard, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 smartphones feature the premium materials and finishes that characterize the BlackBerry Bold line. Both models have a lustrous exterior with a brushed stainless steel frame and a high-gloss glass-weave backplate. They are also the thinnest BlackBerry smartphones yet, at only 10.5mm. The quality materials and optimized design of the new BlackBerry Bold smartphones are instantly evident when held in the hand.

STC, Mobily and Zain are now offering 4 Halalas per MB

It has been started by Zain first of all. Zain has introduced a new data sim last week with free 300 MB internet. The price for this data sim was 30 SR. After utilizing your free data bundle of 300 megabyte every additional MB of internet will cost you 6 halala i.e 0.06 SR. Next to that Mobily has introduced even a better package. That was 300 MB in 30 SR sim and every additional MB costs 5 halala.

Next to that, Zain decreased the cost of 1 MB to just 4 halala and they decreased the price of Sim card to 20 SR. Again mobily tried to dominate this offer and they offered 500 MB of internet in Just 30 SR plus additional MB costs same 4 halala.

STC stayed away from this fight and they didn't offer anything. When 1 week passed and both mobily and Zain kept quite on more offers, STC has introduced a little different package. They offered 400 MB of internet data in just 25 SR plus additional MB costs same 4 halala like mobily and Zain.

Now all three of mobile operators in Saudi Arabia are providing the cheapest ever MB in Saudi Arabia. Once you buy the sim card in 20, 25 or 30 SR you could have internet at 4 halala per MB cost. I draw a comparison of intial free MBs and I found mobily is the cheapest among all three. As per my experience mobily's internet services are a lot better than all others.

Provider	Package Name	Initial Balance	Price	MB per 1SR
STC	QUICKnet Light	400 MB	25 SR	16
mobily	Connect 500	500 MB	30 SR	16.67
Zain	Delight	300 MB	20 SR	15

These Sim cards are for data purposes. These sim cards cannot be used in your mobile for making or receiving calls.

You can also read one of my another post on How to Subscribe for Internet from your Mobile in KSA.

Jarir Bookstore offers HTC Wildfire for Free

Jarir Bookstore is recognized as the market leader in office supplies, school supplies, I.T. products and books and many Saudi cities. Jarir Bookstore is well reputed and highly respected in the kingdom among its customers and among the business community because it offers amazing offers for its customers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Currently Jarrir Bookstore is offering HTC Wildfire for Free with every purchase of HTC Desire Z, HTC Mozart and HTC HD7.I don't know if this is to end their stock of non-selling device or they are really showing their generosity to Saudi Arabian customers.

Nokia Ovi user will able to buy via Operator Billing in Saudi Arabia soon

Ovi Store is a leading mobile app store. Nokia mobile users can easily benefit from it by installing ovi app in their mobile handsets.Ovi Store has a variety of applications available, some of them paid and some of them are free. However soon Nokia Ovi users in Saudi Arabia will be able to buy paid apps via operator billing.

Nokia and Etisalat have announced that consumers across Middle East will soon be able to purchase content from the Ovi Store with billing directly to their mobile phone account. The service will either be charged as part of the customer's monthly bill for post paid accounts, or deducted from their Pre-Paid airtime credit.

3G Multi SIM Service by STC is best of its kind

This unique service by ALJAWAL is designed to help you keep up with life’s increasing demands. With Multi SIM, you will stay connected with others without having to buy different mobile numbers. Now, you can get two additional SIM cards for your current mobile number providing the same services and benefits as the main SIM. You can use any of them in another mobile device, in the installed car mobile, or with a computer.

Service Features:

• You can make calls, send SMS or MMS messages, and use all other services with any of the SIM cards at the same time.
• You can receive calls and SMS messages only with the activated SIM card
• Fax and data services will be available only with the original SIM
• Regular call charges apply to all SIM cards alike
• One SIM card can be activated while roaming
• You can use any of the SIM cards at the same time If you’re a JAWALNet subscriber

Saudi Arabia Internet Statistics

Internet was first introduced to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 1994 when state academic, medical, and research institutions got access to it. Internet was officially made available in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1997 by a ministerial decision and the public access finally debuted in 1999.

In December 2000 there were 200 000 Internet users in Saudi Arabia. By 2005 the number of Internet users in KSA had grown to 2.54 million, making the growth 1170 % and KSA one of the fastest growing Internet markets.

2006 some major changes were made to the structure of Internet in KSA. These changes are likely to aid the expansion of Internet usage in KSA even more. it is predicted that the number of users will reach 3.8 million in 2007.


Internet Usage Statistics:
9,800,000 Internet users as of June/10, 38.1% of the population, according to ITU.

Facebook Users in Saudi Arabia:
2,575,740 as of August 31, 2010, according to Facebook.