When shopping online for an iPhone 16 in the UAE, you’ll often come across listings labeled “iPhone 16 International Version” or “iPhone 16 Middle East Version.” But what do these terms actually mean? What’s the difference between the two, and more importantly, which one should you buy? Let’s break it down.
What Is the Middle East iPhone 16?
The Middle East iPhone 16 refers to models supplied by Apple and its authorized distributors to Middle Eastern countries like Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. These models are tailored to meet the cellular network requirements and regulatory standards of these regions.
How to Identify a Middle East iPhone 16
You can identify a Middle East iPhone 16 by its model number. Below are the model numbers for the Middle Eastern iPhone 16:
Middle Eastern iPhone 16 model numbers
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Model A3295
- iPhone 16 Pro: Model A3292
- iPhone 16 Plus: Model A3289
- iPhone 16 Regular: Model A3286
However, some iPhone 16 models from countries like Canada, Guam, Mexico, and the USVI share the same model numbers above. So to ensure you’re getting a Middle Eastern version, you’ll need to check the part number as well. At the end of this blog post, you will find a detailed list of all the part numbers for the Middle East iPhone 16.
Middle Eastern iPhone 16 part numbers
UAE iPhone 16 Pro Max Desert Titanium
- 256 GB: MYWJ3AE/A
- 512 GB: MYWN3AE/A
- 1 TB: MYWT3AE/A
KSA iPhone 16 Pro Max Desert Titanium
(Also applicable to the iPhone 16 for Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.)
- 256 GB: MYWJ3AH/A
- 512 GB: MYWN3AH/A
- 1 TB: MYWT3AH/A
From the part numbers listed above, you can observe that UAE models end in the surfix AE/A, while models for the remaining Middle Eastern countries end in AH/A. That’s because even amongst there are also two types of Middle East iPhone 16 models.
The Two Types of Middle East iPhone 16 Versions
1. Non-FaceTime Middle East iPhone 16
iPhones sold in the UAE often come without FaceTime pre-installed. According to Apple, “FaceTime isn’t available or might not appear on devices purchased in the United Arab Emirates.” It’s worth noting that:
- FaceTime doesn’t appear on iPhone models purchased in the UAE when you set it up with the country selected as the United Arab Emirates. But if you select any other country in the world, then the FaceTime icon becomes available.
- FaceTime calls don’t work in the UAE because they are blocked at the level of network providers there, unless you change your location using a VPN.
Disclaimer: Using a VPN in the UAE may have legal implications. This information is shared solely for educational purposes.
The good news? If you use a UAE iPhone in another country, FaceTime will work as expected.
2. FaceTime-Enabled Middle East iPhone 16
The second version of the Middle East iPhone 16 is the one supplied to the remaining Middle Eastern countries (Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.). It has FaceTime enabled by default, no matter which country you select during setup.
What Is the International iPhone 16?
The term “International iPhone” is misleading. Sometimes online sellers use it to imply that their iPhones are compatible with cellular networks worldwide. Other times the sellers are trying to trick buyers into thinking that it will have an international warranty just because it is named the international version. Now let me address those two concerns.
Cellular network compatibility
Apple designs different iPhone models to match the cellular bands and regulatory standards of specific regions. To help users, Apple publishes an annual guide detailing which iPhone models are compatible with the 5G and LTE networks in various countries.
If you check their guide, you won’t find a model labeled “International iPhone.” Instead, Apple categorizes iPhones by countries and regions. I will elaborate more on the different iPhone 16 models that exist in an upcoming blog post. But for now, I created a table for that you can use to easily compare the compatible cellular bands of the Middle East iPhone 16 to those of the global iPhone 16 model, (which is used in most countries around the world, including India and the Philippines).
Middle East iPhone 16 versus Global iPhone 16 supported cellular bands
Here is a comparison of the LTE cellular bands supported in the Middle East iPhone 16 versus those supported in the Global iPhone 16.
| LTE Band | Frequency (MHz) | Supported in the Middle East iPhone 16 | Supported in the Global iPhone 16 |
| 1 | 2100 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2 | 1900 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 3 | 1800 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 4 | AWS | ✅ | ✅ |
| 5 | 850 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 7 | 2600 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 8 | 900 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 11 | 1500 | ✅ | ❌ |
| 12 | 700 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 13 | 700c | ✅ | ✅ |
| 14 | 700 PS | ✅ | ❌ |
| 17 | 700b | ✅ | ✅ |
| 18 | 800 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 19 | 800 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 20 | 800 DD | ✅ | ✅ |
| 21 | 1500 | ✅ | ❌ |
| 25 | 1900 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 26 | 800 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 28 | 700 APT | ✅ | ✅ |
| 29 | 700d | ✅ | ❌ |
| 30 | 2300 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 32 | 1500 L-band | ✅ | ✅ |
| 34 | TD 2000 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 38 | TD 2600 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 39 | TD 1900 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 40 | TD 2300 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 41 | TD 2500 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 42 | TD 3500 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 48 | TD 3600 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 53 | TD 2500 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 66 | AWS-3 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 71 | 600 | ✅ | ✅ |
Summary
Unique to Middle East iPhone 16: Bands 11 (1500 MHz), 14 (700 PS), 21 (1500 MHz), 29 (700d MHz).
Common Bands: Most LTE bands are supported in both the Middle East and the Global iPhone 16.
Below is a comparison of the 5G cellular bands supported in the UAE versus those supported in the rest of the world for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
| 5G Band | Frequency (MHz) | Supported in the Middle East iPhone 16 | Supported in the Global iPhone 16 |
| n1 | 2100 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n2 | 1900 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n3 | 1800 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n5 | 850 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n7 | 2600 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n8 | 900 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n12 | 700 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n14 | 700 PS | ✅ | ❌ |
| n20 | 800 DD | ✅ | ✅ |
| n25 | 1900 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n26 | 800 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n28 | 700 APT | ✅ | ✅ |
| n29 | 700d | ✅ | ❌ |
| n30 | 2300 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n38 | TD 2600 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n40 | TD 2300 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n41 | TD 2500 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n48 | TD 3600 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n53 | TD 2500 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n66 | AWS-3 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n70 | AWS-4 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n71 | 600 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n75 | SDL 1500 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n76 | SDL 1500 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n77 | TD 3700 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n78 | TD 3500 | ✅ | ✅ |
| n79 | TD 4700 | ✅ | ✅ |
Summary
- Unique to the Middle East iPhone 16: n14 (700 PS), n29 (700d MHz).
- Common Bands: Most bands are supported in both regions.
International warranty
Regarding the warranty, Apple clearly states in the warranty of the iPhone that, and I quote, “Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, HomePod, and Apple Vision Pro to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device.” So technically, the iPhone doesn’t have an international warranty, even though Apple usually provides warranty service for the iPhone internationally.
So whenever you see an iPhone 16 labelled as the “International version,” ask the seller to provide the model number of the device. With the model number, you can visit this page on Apple’s website and check which version it is.
Most iPhone 16 models should work well with the 5G and LTE cellular networks in several countries around the world. Just make sure that the phone is “Factory Unlocked.” Because if it is locked to a network provider in one country, it won’t work in any other country. Always remember to ask the seller to confirm whether the iPhone is factory unlocked or not. The video below will help you determine that.
Why Does This Matter?
On my previous video (linked below) about the Middle East versus international iPhone 14, I received a lot of questions about this topic. So let me use this opportunity to answer a few.
I want to buy an iPhone from the UAE for use in India. Should I go for the international version or the UAE version?
Firstly, there’s no international version. Always ask the seller to provide you with the model number or part number of the specific model they will send to you when you place your order so that you can use it to determine which version they will send to you.
The UAE version of the iPhone 16 works just fine in any country in Asia. It actually supports more 5G and LTE cellular bands than the iPhone 16 from India, the Philippines, and any other Asian country.
The only thing is that you must check to make sure that your iPhone is factory unlocked. Because if it’s locked to a network provider in the UAE, it won’t work in any other country.
Will specs differ between the Middle East and the global version?
Generally, there are just three main specs that you should worry about on the different iPhone 16 models.
- Sim Card support
- Network coverage
- Apple Intelligence
Sim card compatibility
The Middle East iPhone 16 models support both nanoSIM and eSIM, just like the Global iPhone 16 models used in countries such as the UK, India, the Philippines, and most of Asia. If you’re curious about the differences between iPhone 16 models and their SIM card compatibility, keep an eye out for my next blog post, where I’ll explain it all in detail.
Network coverage
The Middle East iPhone 16 models are compatible with a few more 5G and LTE cellular bands when compared to the Global iPhone 16 models used in countries such as the UK, India, the Philippines, and most of Asia.
Apple intelligence
Apple Intelligence is available on all iPhone 16 models, except for those from Mainland China and the European Union when used within the EU.
Apple intelligence for EU residents
However, if you leave the EU, you can activate Apple Intelligence by switching your Apple account to a supported country and setting both your phone and Siri language to a supported option.
Apple intelligence for China Mainland residents
Apple Intelligence won’t work on devices purchased in Mainland China, even if they are supported models. For devices bought outside of Mainland China, Apple Intelligence will still not function if you are in Mainland China and your Apple account is set to the China region.
If I buy an iPhone in the Middle East, can I use it in India, Sri Lanka, or any country in Asia or around the world?
Yes, you can use the Middle East iPhone 16 in any country around the world as long as the iPhone is factory unlocked. Always verify that the iPhone is “factory unlocked.”
If I buy the Middle East iPhone 16 version, can I use FaceTime like always?
Yes, you can use FaceTime on the Middle East iPhone 16 as long as you’re not in the United Arab Emirates and your phone’s country/region isn’t set to the UAE in the settings. If you’re in the UAE, FaceTime will only work if you use a VPN.
List of all Middle East iPhone 16 Part Numbers for UAE
This section lists the part numbers for the Middle East iPhone 16 version specifically from the United Arab Emirates. iPhones with these part numbers have FaceTime disabled if the phone’s country is set to the UAE in the settings.
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Natural Titanium part numbers (Model A3295)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB Natural Titanium: MYWU3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB Natural iPhone Titanium: MYWP3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB Natural Titanium: MYWK3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Desert Titanium part numbers (Model A3295)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB Desert Titanium: MYWT3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB Desert Titanium: MYWN3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB Desert Titanium: MYWJ3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max White Titanium part numbers (Model A3295)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB White Titanium: MYWR3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB White Titanium: MYWM3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB White Titanium: MYWH3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Black Titanium part numbers (Model A3295)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB Black Titanium: MYWG3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB Black Titanium: MYWL3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB Black Titanium: MYWQ3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pro Natural Titanium part numbers (Model A3292)
- iPhone 16 Pro 1TB Natural Titanium: MYNC3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 512GB Natural iPhone Titanium: MYN73AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 256GB Natural Titanium: MYN33AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 128GB Natural Titanium: MYMY3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pro Desert Titanium part numbers (Model A3292)
- iPhone 16 Pro 1TB Desert Titanium: MYNA3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 512GB Desert Titanium: MYN63AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 256GB Desert Titanium: MYN23AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 128GB Desert Titanium: MYMX3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pro White Titanium part numbers (Model A3292)
- iPhone 16 Pro 1TB White Titanium: MYN93AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 512GB White Titanium: MYN53AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 256GB White Titanium: MYN13AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 128GB White Titanium: MYMW3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pro Black Titanium part numbers (Model A3292)
- iPhone 16 Pro 1TB Black Titanium: MYN83AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 512GB Black Titanium: MYN43AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 256GB Black Titanium: MYN03AE/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 128GB Black Titanium: MYMV3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Plus Teal Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB Teal: MXVT3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB Teal: MXVL3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Teal: MXVF3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Plus Ultramarine Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB Ultramarine: MXVR3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB Ultramarine: MXVK3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Ultramarine: MXVE3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Plus Pink Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB Pink: MXVQ3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB Pink: MXVJ3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Pink: MXVD3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Plus White Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB White: MXVP3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB White: MXVH3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB White: MXVC3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Plus Black Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB Black: MXVN3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB Black: MXVG3AE/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Black: MXVA3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Teal Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB Teal: MYE63AE/A
- iPhone 16 256GB Teal: MYE13AE/A
- iPhone 16 128GB Teal: MYDV3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Ultramarine Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB Ultramarine: MYE53AE/A
- iPhone 16 256GB Ultramarine: MYE03AE/A
- iPhone 16 128GB Ultramarine: MYDU3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Pink Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB Pink: MYE43AE/A
- iPhone 16 256GB Pink: MYDY3AE/A
- iPhone 16 128GB Pink: MYDT3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 White Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB White: MYE33AE/A
- iPhone 16 256GB White: MYDX3AE/A
- iPhone 16 128GB White: MYDR3AE/A
UAE Apple iPhone 16 Black Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB Black: MYE23AE/A
- iPhone 16 256GB Black: MYDW3AE/A
- iPhone 16 128GB Black: MYDQ3AE/A
List of all Middle East iPhone 16 Part Numbers for Saudi Arabia and others
The segment below contains the part numbers for the Middle East iPhone 16 version, which originates from Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. iPhones with these part numbers don’t have the FaceTime restriction.
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Natural Titanium part numbers (Model A3295)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB Natural Titanium: MYWU3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB Natural iPhone Titanium: MYWP3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB Natural Titanium: MYWK3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Desert Titanium part numbers (Model A3295)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB Desert Titanium: MYWT3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB Desert Titanium: MYWN3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB Desert Titanium: MYWJ3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max White Titanium part numbers (Model A3295)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB White Titanium: MYWR3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB White Titanium: MYWM3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB White Titanium: MYWH3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Black Titanium part numbers (Model A3295)
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB Black Titanium: MYWG3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 512GB Black Titanium: MYWL3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 1TB Black Titanium: MYWQ3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Natural Titanium part numbers (Model A3292)
- iPhone 16 Pro 1TB Natural Titanium: MYNC3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 512GB Natural iPhone Titanium: MYN73AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 256GB Natural Titanium: MYN33AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 128GB Natural Titanium: MYMY3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Desert Titanium part numbers (Model A3292)
- iPhone 16 Pro 1TB Desert Titanium: MYNA3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 512GB Desert Titanium: MYN63AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 256GB Desert Titanium: MYN23AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 128GB Desert Titanium: MYMX3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pro White Titanium part numbers (Model A3292)
- iPhone 16 Pro 1TB White Titanium: MYN93AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 512GB White Titanium: MYN53AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 256GB White Titanium: MYN13AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 128GB White Titanium: MYMW3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pro Black Titanium part numbers (Model A3292)
- iPhone 16 Pro 1TB Black Titanium: MYN83AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 512GB Black Titanium: MYN43AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 256GB Black Titanium: MYN03AH/A
- iPhone 16 Pro 128GB Black Titanium: MYMV3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Plus Teal Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB Teal: MXVT3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB Teal: MXVL3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Teal: MXVF3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Plus Ultramarine Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB Ultramarine: MXVR3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB Ultramarine: MXVK3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Ultramarine: MXVE3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Plus Pink Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB Pink: MXVQ3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB Pink: MXVJ3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Pink: MXVD3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Plus White Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB White: MXVP3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB White: MXVH3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB White: MXVC3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Plus Black Part Numbers (Model A3289)
- iPhone 16 Plus 512GB Black: MXVN3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 256GB Black: MXVG3AH/A
- iPhone 16 Plus 128GB Black: MXVA3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Teal Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB Teal: MYE63AH/A
- iPhone 16 256GB Teal: MYE13AH/A
- iPhone 16 128GB Teal: MYDV3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Ultramarine Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB Ultramarine: MYE53AH/A
- iPhone 16 256GB Ultramarine: MYE03AH/A
- iPhone 16 128GB Ultramarine: MYDU3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Pink Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB Pink: MYE43AH/A
- iPhone 16 256GB Pink: MYDY3AH/A
- iPhone 16 128GB Pink: MYDT3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 White Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB White: MYE33AH/A
- iPhone 16 256GB White: MYDX3AH/A
- iPhone 16 128GB White: MYDR3AH/A
Saudi Arabia (and others) Apple iPhone 16 Black Part Numbers (Model A3286)
- iPhone 16 512GB Black: MYE23AH/A
- iPhone 16 256GB Black: MYDW3AH/A
- iPhone 16 128GB Black: MYDQ3AH/A
