Francell, by Al Hajir Electric Devices Trading LLC, is a Sharjah-based retailer and wholesaler of lithium and alkaline batteries from AA/AAA/C/D cells and car remote batteries to rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion (1800mAh/3000mAh) and CR2016 coin cells, plus compatible chargers, with reliable local stock across the UAE.
Car key fobs, kitchen scales, glucose meters, motherboards - a huge share of the small electronics in a UAE household or office runs on one unassuming part: a coin-sized lithium cell called the CR2032. It's one of the most-replaced batteries on earth, and one of the easiest to buy wrong if you don't know what you're looking for. For readers comparing available options, Francell's battery products provide a broader view of the battery formats available.
This guide covers what a CR2032 battery actually is, which devices use it, what it costs across the UAE, where to buy single packs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain, and how to source it wholesale if you're stocking a workshop, retail shelf, or fleet of key fobs.
A CR2032 is a non-rechargeable, 3-volt lithium manganese dioxide coin cell measuring 20.0mm in diameter and 3.2mm in height, with a typical capacity around 220mAh, making it one of the most widely used 3V coin cells in consumer electronics (Battery Mart, 2026). The naming isn't arbitrary: "CR" identifies the lithium manganese dioxide chemistry, "20" is the diameter in millimetres, and "32" is the height in tenths of a millimetre. Readers looking at different battery formats can also explore available battery formats from Francell.
It's a direct, drop-in replacement for several other part numbers you'll see printed on old batteries or device manuals, including 5004LC, BR2032, DL2032, ECR2032, and ST-T15 - so if a device calls for any of those, a CR2032 will fit and work. Quality cells from major brands can hold their charge in storage for up to 10 years and keep working across a temperature range from roughly -30°C to 60°C, which matters in the UAE given how hot a parked car or a rooftop storage unit can get in summer.
CR2032 cells power a surprisingly wide spread of everyday devices, from wearables to car electronics. Common uses include watches, calculators, medical instruments, and computer CMOS/motherboard backup systems, plus key fobs, remote controls, alarm sensors, and kitchen or bathroom scales. Retailers also list them for heart-rate monitors, keyless entry systems, and glucose monitors. For readers comparing batteries for different applications, battery solutions for different devices provide additional context.
In a UAE household, the most common reasons people search for a replacement are:
Not every coin-shaped battery is a CR2032, and mixing them up is the most common buying mistake. The CR2032 sits in a family of similarly-shaped lithium cells that differ mainly in thickness and, therefore, capacity.
| Battery | Diameter | Thickness | Typical Capacity | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR2032 | 20mm | 3.2mm | ~220mAh | 3V |
| CR2025 | 20mm | 2.5mm | ~165mAh | 3V |
| CR2016 | 20mm | 1.6mm | ~90mAh | 3V |
| CR1632 | 16mm | 3.2mm | ~140mAh | 3V |
All four are lithium and share the same 3V output, so a device won't be damaged by a slightly wrong size - it simply won't physically fit, or will sit loose in a compartment sized for a thinner cell. If the battery compartment shows "2032," "2025," or "2016" molded into the plastic, that number tells you the exact size to buy; don't rely on the device's brand name or age to guess. If you need to compare the CR2025 and CR2016 battery options available from Francell, the Products page is the appropriate destination.
A common support call to UAE electronics shops involves a customer bringing in a CR2025 or CR2016 and returning it because "the fob still won't lock." The fix is almost always sizing, not battery quality - always check the number stamped inside the compartment before buying.
Single CR2032 batteries typically retail for around AED 10-25 in the UAE depending on brand, with prices climbing toward AED 20-25 for premium brands like Panasonic or Duracell and settling closer to AED 10-12 for standard Energizer or generic listings at retailers such as Altimus, which lists the Energizer CR2032 at AED 12. Multi-packs shift the economics considerably - a 5-piece muRata pack sells for roughly AED 27, working out to about AED 5.49 per cell, while single-unit Maxell listings on Carrefour UAE have run as high as AED 20.95 even after a 30% discount. Readers comparing currently available battery options can review Francell's battery range.
The pattern holds internationally too: bulk-battery suppliers note that per-unit prices can fall from around $2.75 each in singles to roughly $0.33 or less when bought by the hundred, which is why businesses that go through a lot of CR2032 cells - locksmiths, watch repair shops, IT support companies - almost always buy in bulk rather than off the retail shelf.
Availability is strongest in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where same-day and next-day delivery from marketplaces and electronics retailers is standard; the northern emirates generally rely on nationwide courier delivery from the same platforms rather than dense local stock. For UAE-wide battery sourcing, Francell's UAE battery supply provides a relevant supplier-level starting point.
Dubai - The deepest selection: general marketplaces (Amazon.ae, noon), electronics chains (Sharaf DG, Jarir Bookstore), hypermarkets (Carrefour), IT/computer parts specialists (Microless, Whizz), and office-supply delivery services (Altimus) all carry CR2032 with same-day or next-day options.
Abu Dhabi - The same national retailers (Amazon.ae, noon, Carrefour, Sharaf DG) deliver to Abu Dhabi on comparable timelines to Dubai; Altimus specifically lists Abu Dhabi delivery alongside Dubai.
Sharjah - Covered by the same UAE-wide marketplaces and by Carrefour and Sharaf DG branches; local electronics souks in Sharjah's computer and mobile markets also stock generic CR2032 cells for walk-in buyers.
Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain - Stock is available primarily through nationwide e-commerce delivery (Amazon.ae, noon, Carrefour online) rather than dense local retail; delivery windows typically run one to three days outside the Dubai-Abu Dhabi-Sharjah corridor.
For urgent same-day needs (a dead car key fob, for example), a hypermarket or electronics chain branch is usually faster than online delivery; for planned restocking, marketplace multi-packs are the better value.
Businesses that consume CR2032 cells regularly - locksmiths, key-cutting kiosks, phone and watch repair shops, facilities teams managing access-control fobs, and retailers who stock batteries themselves - generally don't buy single packs. UAE-based trading and distribution companies supply lithium coin cells to corporate, industrial, and retail accounts, typically requiring a minimum order quantity and offering tiered pricing that drops as volume rises. Businesses can review Francell's battery products when assessing available battery formats for their requirements.
Local suppliers positioning themselves for this market frame it explicitly: one UAE-based electrical and connectivity products supplier describes itself as serving corporate, industrial, and retail sector clients with CR2032 stock rather than only end consumers, which reflects the wider pattern of UAE battery sourcing splitting into a retail-facing channel and a separate B2B/trading channel.
Internationally, specialist coin-cell wholesalers describe holding millions of lithium coin cells in stock across sizes including CR2032 and CR2016, and note that first-time bulk buyers are typically vetted before an order ships - a useful reference point for what to expect when opening any new wholesale account, UAE or otherwise: bulk suppliers commonly ask for a registered trade license and a minimum order before extending trade pricing. Businesses with specific sourcing requirements can request a battery supply quotation from Francell.
What to check before committing to a wholesale supplier in the UAE:
Buy from a listing or shop that states the brand clearly rather than a generic "coin battery" photo, since counterfeit or old-stock cells are more likely to under-deliver on voltage and shelf life. Check the printed expiry or "best before" date where visible - a fresh CR2032 should read close to full voltage on a multimeter (around 3.0-3.3V).
Store spares at room temperature, away from direct sun or a hot car dashboard, and keep them in original packaging until use - loose coin cells can short against keys or coins in a pocket or drawer, which drains them and creates a burn risk. CR2032 batteries are also a well-known swallowing hazard for young children; keep multi-packs and spares out of reach, and dispose of used cells at a battery recycling point rather than in household trash, since they contain heavy metals regulated under UAE waste-handling guidance.
How long does a CR2032 battery last once installed?
It depends heavily on the device: a low-drain application like a wall clock or motherboard can run for 3-5 years, while a high-drain device like an AirTag or a frequently-used key fob typically needs replacement every 1-2 years. Unused spares can hold charge in storage for up to a decade under the right conditions.
What's the difference between CR2032 and CR2025?
Both are 3V lithium coin cells with the same 20mm diameter, but the CR2032 is thicker (3.2mm vs 2.5mm) and holds more capacity - roughly 220mAh versus 165mAh. They are not interchangeable if the compartment is sized for one specific thickness. You can review available coin-cell battery options when comparing formats.
Is it cheaper to buy CR2032 batteries in bulk in the UAE?
Yes. Per-unit cost typically drops from roughly AED 10-25 for a single battery to about AED 5-7 in a 4-6 pack, and further still when buying through a wholesale or trade account, though wholesale purchases usually require a trade license and a minimum order quantity. Businesses planning larger purchases can contact Francell for bulk requirements.
Can I use a CR2025 or CR2016 instead of a CR2032?
No - while all three share the same 3V voltage and 20mm diameter, they differ in thickness, so a thinner CR2016 or CR2025 will typically sit loose in a compartment designed for the thicker CR2032 and may lose contact intermittently.
Where can I buy CR2032 batteries same-day in Dubai?
Hypermarkets like Carrefour, electronics chains like Sharaf DG, and office-supply delivery services generally offer same-day or next-day fulfilment in Dubai, alongside marketplace options like Amazon.ae and noon that ship within the emirate quickly. For battery product availability, you can also review Francell's available battery products.
A CR2032 is a simple part to buy once you know the two numbers that matter: 20mm diameter and 3.2mm thickness, printed as "2032" on the cell and usually molded into the device's battery compartment. In the UAE, retail availability is strong in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, with nationwide delivery covering the remaining emirates, and per-unit costs fall sharply once you move from single packs to multi-packs or a wholesale trade account.
For readers ready to compare available battery formats, explore Francell's battery products or contact Francell for UAE battery supply when a business or bulk requirement needs further assistance.
Francell, by Al Hajir Electric Devices Trading LLC, is a Sharjah-based retailer and wholesaler of lithium and alkaline batteries from AA/AAA/C/D cells and car remote batteries to rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion (1800mAh/3000mAh) and CR2016 coin cells, plus compatible chargers, with reliable local stock across the UAE.
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