Have you ever tried buying an iPhone in the UAE and found yourself puzzled by the term “TRA-iPhone”? No need to stress! This post will guide you through everything you need to know: What exactly is a TRA iPhone? How can you spot one? Where’s the best place to buy it? What are its specs, and where can you use it? Plus, we’ll cover the warranty details so you’re fully informed. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just starting to explore, this guide will make everything crystal clear—no confusion, just answers!
What is TRA?
In the UAE, TRA stands for “Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.” They are responsible for managing all aspects of telecom and information technology within the UAE. That includes preventing the illegal trade of counterfeit iPhones in the country.
What are TRA iPhones, and where can you buy them?
TRA iPhones are the official iPhone models that the Telecom Regulatory Authority has approved for sale and use in the UAE. They are the only models that UAE authorized iPhone suppliers and resellers are permitted to keep and sell in their stores.
So, for example, if you walk into an Apple store or any other authorized electronics retailer in the UAE, such as Jumbo, Emax, or Sharaf JG, you will only find the TRA iPhone model and no other versions. You can also purchase TRA iPhones online from Amazon UAE at significantly lower prices. Simply choose the models marked “ships from and sold by Amazon.ae.”
You can find great deals on iPhones using the affiliate links below:
iPhone 14 Pro Max
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14
How can you check if an iPhone is the TRA model?
Check for the TRA logo and identification number on the lower back of the iPhone’s box. To make sure that you’re getting a TRA-approved iPhone, you should check for the TRA logo on its box. It’s generally found on the lower back of the box, just below the UPC and adjacent to the serial number of the iPhone.
In this same area, you can also see the TRA’s identification number for that specific iPhone unit. If you check a TRA iPhone’s part number, you’ll notice that it either ends in AA/A for the iPhone 12, 13, and 14 series, or AE/A for older UAE iPhone models. For example, the TRA iPhone 14 Pro Max Deep Purple has the following part numbers:
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (128 GB) – Silver MQ9Q3AA/A
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (256 GB) – Silver MQ9V3AA/A
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (512 GB) – Silver MQAH3AA/A
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (1 TB) – Silver MQC33AA/A
What are the specifications and differences of a TRA iPhone?
The main difference between a TRA iPhone and other iPhone models is that when the region is set to the United Arab Emirates, the Facetime app is not available. The first thing you’ll notice about the TRA iPhone is that when you set its region to the United Arab Emirates, the FaceTime icon disappears.
That’s because not only does FaceTime not work on UAE carrier networks, but UAE iPhone models won’t even show the FaceTime icon if you set their region as the United Arab Emirates. But if you change a UAE iPhone’s region to any other country, the FaceTime icon reappears. However, you cannot make FaceTime calls in the UAE without a VPN. Apart from that, the TRA iPhone has the same general specifications as most other iPhone models.
Can you use the TRA iPhone version in other countries?
Yes, you can use a TRA or UAE iPhone in any country in the world if it is factory unlocked. However, there is one thing you should know about the TRA iPhone’s network compatibility when used in other countries. Let’s use the iPhone 14 series as an example. These are the model numbers of the TRA iPhone 14 series.
A2894 – iPhone 14 Pro MAX
A2890 – iPhone 14 Pro
A2886 – iPhone 14 Plus
A2882 – iPhone 14
I refer to it as the “global version” because it’s the iPhone model that’s sold and used in most countries around the world. That includes places like the United Kingdom, India, and most of the European Union. All the iPhone models under the Global Version group support the same 5G and LTE cellular bandwidths.
So you won’t have any connectivity issues if you are planning to use a TRA iPhone in any of them. However, network providers in countries like Canada and the United States use a wider range of cellular bands. As such, their iPhone models support a few extra bandwidths compared to the TRA or UAE iPhones.
Nonetheless, if you use a TRA iPhone in the United States or Canada, it’s going to work pretty well. However, when using 5G and LTE networks, you may occasionally experience some low connectivity issues. When purchasing a TRA iPhone to use in another country, make sure that it is carrier unlocked. Because if it’s locked to a UAE carrier, it won’t work in any other country until you can unlock it.
What’s the warranty on a TRA iPhone?
The TRA (UAE) iPhone, like any other iPhone model, is covered by Apple’s warranty terms and conditions. Within the UAE, you can take your TRA iPhone to any Apple store or Apple authorized service center for a warranty claim. However, claiming the warranty on a TRA iPhone may not always be as simple. At least not according to the iPhone limited warranty terms and conditions.
It says that: Apple can decide to restrict warranty service for iPhones to the country where Apple or its authorized resellers originally sold the device. That means technically, no iPhone model has an international warranty, even though Apple still continues to provide warranty service internationally.
Conclusion
The official iPhone model authorized for use and sale in the UAE by the Telecom Regulatory Authority is known as the TRA iPhone. It has the same general specifications as most other iPhone models, but there is one key difference.
The FaceTime app is not available when the region is set to “United Arab Emirates.” If you are considering buying a TRA iPhone, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
If you are looking for an iPhone that is fully compatible with all features and services in the UAE, then a TRA iPhone is a good option. However, if you plan on using your iPhone frequently outside of the UAE, you may want to consider buying a different model.
