The launch of the latest iPhone model 8 was met with muted enthusiasm from UAE shoppers, as sales kicked-off in stores around the country on Saturday.

Despite crowd control barriers set up at official outlets, queues were smaller than in previous years, with fans possibly awaiting the high-end iPhone X, scheduled to be launched on November 4.

One of the first customers to buy the new Apple iPhone 8 poses at Dubai Mall Apple Store in Dubai. (Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)

One diehard Apple enthusiast Ibrahim Al Shamsi, bought 12 iPhones as gifts for his family at The Dubai Mall store.

The 37 year-old Syrian made an early morning start from Al Ain with his family to get his hands on iPhones 8 Plus and iPhone 8.

Customers stand in line to purchase the new Apple iPhone 8, Apple Watch and Apple TV, which went on sale at Dubai Mall Apple Store on Satuday. (Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)

Sales of iPhone 8 and 8 Plus launched in outlets across the UAE, in The Dubai Mall, Dubai's Mall of the Emirates and Abu Dhabi's Yas Mall at 8 AM on Saturday.

The new handsets are available with at a price tag of AED2,849 (64GB) or AED3,479 (64GB) for the 4.7-inch iPhone 8, and AED3,249 (256GB) or AED3,879 (265GB) for 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus.