Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed.
One of Snapchat’s key features is the ability to make video calls with friends. However, since the UAE has strict regulations on VoIP services, many people wonder if Snapchat’s video calling feature works in the country.
Snapchat Video Calling in the UAE
The short answer is yes, Snapchat’s video calling feature does work in the UAE. However, there are a few caveats to be aware of:
- Snapchat video calls rely on your phone’s internet connection, either WiFi or mobile data. So you need a stable internet connection for the call quality to be good.
- Calls made over mobile data may incur charges depending on your carrier and plan. On WiFi there are no extra charges.
- Video quality may not be optimal and there could be lag, pixilation, or call drops depending on the internet speed.
- Calling someone internationally could be challenging because of network restrictions.
Overall, Snapchat video calls are possible in the UAE but call quality and reliability may vary depending on your internet connection. The app itself is not blocked in the UAE.
Snapchat Usage in the UAE
Snapchat has millions of users across the UAE. It is estimated that over 2 million people actively use Snapchat on a monthly basis in the country. The app is popular among both Emirati locals and expats living in the UAE.
Some key stats on Snapchat usage in the UAE:
- 53% of Snapchat users in the UAE are male, 47% are female
- 71% of users are between the ages of 18 and 34
- On average, UAE users spend around 28 minutes on Snapchat every day
- Video calls, stories, lenses, filters, and disappearing chats are the most used Snapchat features in the UAE
- Usage peaks in the evening between 6 pm to 12 am
This data shows that Snapchat has carved a solid niche for itself in the UAE’s social media landscape. The app’s fun features resonate well with younger demographics in the country.
Snapchat Features that Work in the UAE
Here is a quick overview of the key Snapchat features that work smoothly in the UAE:
- Sending Snaps – You can send photo and video snaps to friends which disappear after being viewed.
- Stories – Snapchat stories let you post snaps that stay visible for 24 hours to all your friends.
- Lenses and Filters – Snapchat’s vast collection of lenses and filters work perfectly in the UAE.
- Stickers – You can jazz up your snaps using Snapchat’s stickers.
- Disappearing Chats – Snapchat’s encrypted chats with auto deletion keep conversations private.
- Snap Map – This lets you share your location on a map with friends.
- Memories – You can save snaps and stories to memories and upload them again later.
- Snapcodes – Snapcodes help you easily add friends by scanning their unique code.
These features provide the usual Snapchat experience that users enjoy around the world. The only drawback is that video call quality may vary.
Why Snapchat Video Calling Can be Problematic in the UAE
There are a few reasons why Snapchat video call quality may suffer in the UAE:
- Restrictions on VoIP services – The UAE has regulations against unlicensed VoIP apps which can affect call quality.
- Internet censorship – Some websites and services may be blocked which impacts connectivity.
- Throttling of bandwidth – Bandwidth for some apps may be throttled by carriers, lowering video quality.
- Network congestion – Busy networks especially during peak times can lower video quality.
However, these issues are not unique to Snapchat and affect other video calling apps too. Snapchat calls still work reasonably well as long as you have a fast internet connection.
Improving Snapchat Video Call Quality
Here are some tips to get better Snapchat video call quality in the UAE:
- Use WiFi instead of mobile data whenever possible.
- Make sure you have at least 2 Mbps upload and download speed.
- Reduce background app activity on your device during the call.
- Avoid making calls when network congestion is likely to be high.
- Turn on airplane mode during the call to avoid call drops.
- Use headphones with a microphone for better sound.
- Manually select lower video quality in Snapchat settings if needed.
Following these tips optimizes your device’s performance for video calling and gives you the best Snapchat call experience in the UAE.
Conclusion
To conclude, Snapchat’s video calling feature does work in the UAE but call quality depends on having a fast, stable internet connection.
The app itself has millions of users in the country who actively use Snapchat for its fun social media capabilities.
By following best practices around internet connectivity and device performance, UAE residents can enjoy smooth Snapchat calls and take advantage of the app’s cool features.