what is the TRA iphone

What is the TRA iPhone?

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Have you tried to buy an iPhone in the UAE but got confused because of the term “TRA-iPhone”? 

Then don’t worry, because this blog post will answer all your questions, such as: What are TRA iPhones?

Where can you buy them? How can you identify them? What are their specs? Where can you use them? And what’s their warranty?

You may watch this video or continue reading below

What is TRA?

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.

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

If you visit the links below and search for any of these model numbers, you’ll find out that the TRA iPhone 14s are listed under the Global iPhone version.

iPhone 14 Pro Max – A2651, A2893, A2896, A2895, A2894
iPhone 14 Pro – A2650, A2889, A2892, A2891, A2890
iPhone 14 Plus – A2632, A2885, A2888, A2887, A2886
iPhone 14 Model Number Check A2649, A2881, A2884, A2883, A2882

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 5G 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 networks, you may occasionally experience some 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.

Is the iPhone warranty international?
iPhone warranty explained everything you need to know
What’s your iPhone 14 Apple Warranty?

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.

List of TRA iPhone 14 part numbers

Best prices for iPhone 14 Pro Max in the UAE
Best prices for iPhone 14 Pro in the UAE
Best prices for iPhone 14 Plus in the UAE
Best prices for iPhone 14 in the UAE

TRA iPhone 14 Pro Max part numbers

TRA iPhone 14 Pro part numbers

  • MQ0G3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 128 GB Deep Purple
  • MQ1F3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 256 GB  Deep Purple
  • MQ293AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 512 GB Deep Purple
  • MQ323AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 1TB Deep Purple
  • MPXV3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 128 GB Space Black
  • MQ0T3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 256 GB Space Black
  • MQ1M3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 512 GB Space Black
  • MQ2G3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 1TB Space Black
  • MQ023AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 128 GB Silver
  • MQ103AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 256 GB Silver
  • MQ1W3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 512 GB Silver
  • MQ2N3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 1TB Silver
  • MQ083AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 128 GB Gold
  • MQ183AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 256 GB Gold
  • MQ233AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 512 G Gold
  • MQ2V3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Pro 1TB Gold

TRA iPhone 14 Plus part numbers

  • MQ4X3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 128 GB Midnight
  • MQ533AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 256 GB Midnight
  • MQ593AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 512 GB Midnight
  • MQ503AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 128 GB Purple
  • MQ563AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 256 GB Purple
  • MQ5E3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 512 GB Purple
  • MQ4Y3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 128 GB Starlight
  • MQ553AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 256 GB Starlight
  • MQ5D3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 512 GB Starlight
  • MQ523AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 128 GB Blue
  • MQ583AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 256 GB Blue
  • MQ5G3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 512 GB Blue
  • MQ513AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 128 GB (PRODUCT) RED
  • MQ573AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 256 GB (PRODUCT) RED
  • MQ5F3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 Plus 512 GB (PRODUCT) RED

TRA iPhone 14 part numbers

  • MPUF3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 128 GB Midnight
  • MPVX3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 256 GB Midnight
  • MPWW3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 512 GB Midnight
  • MPV03AA/A Apple iPhone 14 128 GB Purple
  • MPWA3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 256 GB Purple
  • MPX93AA/A Apple iPhone 14 512 GB Purple
  • MPUR3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 128 GB Starlight
  • MPW43AA/A Apple iPhone 14 256 GB Starlight
  • MPX33AA/A Apple iPhone 14 512 GB Starlight
  • MPVN3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 128 GB Blue
  • MPWP3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 256 GB Blue
  • MPXN3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 512 GB Blue
  • MPVA3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 128 GB (PRODUCT) RED
  • MPWH3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 256 GB (PRODUCT) RED
  • MPXG3AA/A Apple iPhone 14 512 GB (PRODUCT) RED

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.

Disclaimer: As An Amazon Affiliate, We Earn From Qualifying Purchases

About Nebaa

I've worked in the tech industry as a sales executive since 2015. Now I create content on the internet. I'm here to share my knowledge and experience.

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