It's Friday in Australia and New Zealand, and that means early adopters are lining up for — or taking receipt of — launch day iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models.
In Australia, Apple fans started to line up outside of flagship Apple Stores late Thursday to be one of the first in the world to nab Apple's next-generation device. As noted by CNET editor Daniel Van Boom, the first person in line at Apple Sydney has been there since 11:30 p.m.
Users in the region, traditionally some of the first to get their hands on Apple hardware, are posting photos of the new devices to social media outlets. Instagram user "jiriteach" from Wellington picked up an iPhone 12 Pro in Graphite and promptly unboxed the handset.
Both Apple Store employees and those waiting in line also applauded as a retail location in Sydney opened to customers on Friday morning
Ya es 23 de octubre en Australia.
— Olik Valera (@olikvalera) October 22, 2020
Aqu estn los primeros compradores del #iPhone12 en Sidney. pic.twitter.com/VF26SdcJs7
There's also social media evidence of a queue starting to form in front of Apple Shinsaibashi in Osaka, Japan.
— (@Tsugaosyo) October 22, 2020
#iPhone12 pic.twitter.com/dV2AkaZZKp
Both Apple fans and news media were spotted in front on another Japanese Apple retail location: Apple Fukuoka in Chuo Ward.
— AkiAR/@A-k-i (@aki_pic) October 22, 2020
()#AppleStore #iphone12 pic.twitter.com/IVjlllDYBm
As of writing, evidence of queues forming at Apple retail locations in the U.S. have yet to surface.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are, of course, launching in the middle of a global pandemic. Because of that, eager buyers may be discouraged from forming lines in many parts of the world. In the U.S. and Europe, Apple is offering a bank teller-like "express" experience at some stores to limit lines and encourage social distancing.
7 Comments
That's what I like to see. I'm hoping no one gets covid. I wonder if anyone is going to camp out? PLEASE WEAR A MASK AND KEEP HAND SANITIZER WITH YOU. Stay well and have a blast. Cheers!
I am actually surprised people that are not United States are waiting over night in line to get their iPhone 12's. The reason I'm getting an iPhone 12 is for 5G and possibility better reception in areas that are dead spots (like Georgetown in D.C. on T-Mobile) on my iPhone X. But no other country, outside the US, is getting 5G. The next snapdragon seems like it will be a more efficient 5G chip and I would wait for that if I was in another country. Luckily, I can get 5G, so I can go this cycle.
I’m having my iPhone 12 delivered by UPS to my door tomorrow, on release date, and I can get a good nights sleep as well :smile:
Standing in loooooong line for a new iphone is soooo over now. My iPhone 6s is still dipping along just fine.