Apple Store Coming to Saudi Arabia Both Online and In Person

Apple today announced that its online store will launch in Saudi Arabia in summer 2025. The online store will allow customers in the country to order Apple's full range of products directly from the company for the first time.

2024 iPhone Boxes
Apple also said that it plans to open several flagship retail stores in Saudi Arabia starting in 2026. One of the stores will be in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site located just on the outskirts of Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.

"We're excited to be expanding here in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online next year, and the first of several flagship Apple Store locations starting in 2026, including an iconic store at the stunning site of Diriyah coming later," said Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Saudi Arabia already has hundreds of Apple Authorized Reseller locations, but this will be Apple's first direct retail presence in the country.

Apple also announced that it will be opening a new store in the United Arab Emirates city of Al Ain next year, expanding its retail presence there. Apple has four other stores in the country, and its online store launched there in 2011.

In both of the press releases, Apple touted its various commitments and ongoing investments in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Cook spent the past few days in the United Arab Emirates, per his social media posts. He met with app developers, watched a Formula 1 race, and more.

Cook also visited a women's developer academy in Riyadh.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

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Top Rated Comments

yanksfan114 Avatar
4 days ago at 08:12 pm

there's problems in every country. i believe its a bit wierd if you are against beliefs of other countries. then you should cut off all the business with them. you think the U.S would thrive like this if they had this isolated mentality?
When's the last time the US chopped up a reporter for writing against them or gay person just for being?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
leicaman Avatar
4 days ago at 10:19 am
Having helped produced textbooks that in part sell in Saudi Arabia, I know something about localization there.

These Saudis are such snowflakes. No images of women. No mention of Christian or Jewish holidays. No mention of Saudi restrictions in the books. No mention of alcohol. The list goes on and on. It pretty much guts the ability of Saudi citizens to be fully informed about almost anything outside their culture.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JapanApple Avatar
4 days ago at 05:22 pm
I like to see their limited edition collections
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThomasJL Avatar
4 days ago at 08:34 pm
Apple SJW-CEO Tim Cook pretends to care about human rights, but in reality, he will gladly do business with regimes who violate human rights—even regimes causing death to innocent people—in order for Apple to make more profits and please shareholders.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Evagoras2001 Avatar
4 days ago at 10:50 pm

Except that there is no g-cide going on in the place I assume you're alluding to.
[HEADING=2]Amnesty international says otherwise [/HEADING]
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yanksfan114 Avatar
4 days ago at 08:09 pm


It goes both ways. By Saudi Arabia knowingly letting a company in that is clearly pro gay rights set up shop there, they are also tossing away their values for the almighty dollar.

But here’s the thing… Tim Cook submitting his values has less of an impact than the entire government of Saudi Arabia submitting theirs. It’s a subtle WIN for gay rights in the end because they make inroads in a difficult place. It’s a compromise by Tim for the greater goal.

Apple’s keynotes, which feature Tim and rainbows in the background, may end up being watched more by citizens. They may respect him more, and in turn slowly change minds about gay people. Or maybe not. But it’s a possibility.

Looking at one man is a small-minded view of the larger goal here. And it forgets that corporate giants with money chests larger than many countries have the ultimate power.
Lol this a insanely naive take on the country and what businesses do to appease whichever country they sell into. You think apple will sell rainbow pride Apple Watch bands in Saudi Arbaia? Or change their logo color on social media for gay pride month? Absolutely not. They're there to make money and will bend on their values if it brings in enough income.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)