RIYADH: US tech giant Apple has launched its online store and Apple Store app in Saudi Arabia, offering next-day delivery and direct Arabic-language support for the first time.

The launch makes Saudi Arabia the 40th country and territory to have an Apple Store online, according to Karen Rasmussen, Apple's head of Online Retail.

The site offers customer service in both Arabic and English, flexible payment options, and product personalization.

Most orders will be delivered within 24 hours through a distribution center in the Kingdom.

Free engraving is available for products such as AirPods and Apple Pencil, allowing customers to personalize with text, emoji, and numbers.

Additionally, Apple has partnered with Saudi-based buy-now-pay-later platform Tamara for payment options and introduced Arabic-language shopping assistance from in-country specialists.

Hardware support and express replacement services are also available in Arabic through the online platform.

AppleCare+ now allows monthly subscription payments, while Apple Trade In enables customers to exchange devices for credit.

The Apple Education Store is accessible on the site with special pricing for university students and educators.

A back-to-school offer will give eligible buyers the option to receive AirPods or another accessory with an eligible Mac or iPad purchase.

Apple plans to open its first flagship store in Saudi Arabia in 2026, with a second store possibly in Diriyah.

Rasmussen emphasized Apple's long-term investment in the Kingdom and previous development initiatives such as the Apple Developer Academy.