iPhone 6 launch: Apple fans queue for hours as release date arrives
After days of anguished waiting, today we finally get our hands on the hallowed iPhone 6.
The phone was unveiled last week following months of speculation over everything from its launch date to its colour, size, battery strength, screen resolution, etc etc.
When chief executive Tim Cook finally did the big reveal, we discovered the device comes in two sizes – 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, priced at £539 and £619 respectively. Reviewers gave both versions equally gushing writeups. One called it "the best smartphone currently available". Another said it was "a great upgrade for current iPhone users". And one just went berserk, saying he'd "give it six stars if I could".
The price may be steep – but it didn't prevent thousands of Apple fans standing in unreasonably long queues outside Apple Stores all over the world.
The one outside London's flagship Regent Street store snaked down the street, round the corner and into Hanover Square:
iPhone 6 line snaking all the way from the Regent St store along the road, around the square… pic.twitter.com/OBZUIXj1os
— Ian Voyce (@voyce) September 19, 2014
London's more enterprising queuers tried to sell their spots for cash:
Queuing brought to new levels. Sold place at #AppleStore london queue for £1,500. http://t.co/eacE0ABxDR #iPhone6 pic.twitter.com/E1FwnquV8M
— Dominic Crosthwaite (@dcrosthwaite) September 19, 2014
Here's Jamael Ahmed, the first Londoner to get his hands on the iPhone 6. Doesn't he look pleased?
Here Jamael is getting some high fives. Cool jacket, Jamael.
In Sydney, some had camped for 10 days. But it's OK because they had their MacBook Airs to hand….
https://twitter.com/nycjim/status/512552424473497600
Their queue there stretched on…
https://twitter.com/YamanKaytaz/status/512698975338504192
… and on.
This is the queue a full block away from the Sydney Apple Store for iPhone 6/6 Plus. Live on @TheTodayShow after 7 pic.twitter.com/uLijhuC7v6
— Trevor Long 💻 📱 📺 📻 (@trevorlong) September 18, 2014
In Paris, the vibe was un petit peut more relaxed than elsewhere:
Plus de 100 personnes déjà massées devant l'AppleStore Opera à Paris pour la sortie des deux iPhone 6 vendredi. pic.twitter.com/pbVNgkuWFW
— Cédric Garrofé (@cedricgarrofe) September 18, 2014
… while many of those in Berlin waited at least a day.
La fila para el iPhone 6 en Berlín 😬 pic.twitter.com/uIoAZYzBSh
— Raúl Alvarez (@raul_al) September 18, 2014
In the end there was something for everyone:
Well – almost everyone…