On Friday, iPhone 16 went on sale in Apple’s flagship stores in 58 countries and regions around the world. Despite different races and cultures, Apple enthusiasts, including those from the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, had similar reactions: staying up late to queue up, hoping to get their hands on the latest iPhone as soon as possible.
Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the Apple flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York on Friday to participate in the opening ceremony of the new product launch along with employees and enthusiastic fans waiting in line. The new products include the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, the new black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, AirPods 4, and the new color AirPods Max.
The excitement was palpable as the first Apple fan to walk into the store and get their hands on the eagerly awaited new iPhone 16 became the first buyer, leaving the store amidst cheers from the employees.
In Beijing, Apple stores opened early at 8:00 am to service pre-order customers. Despite heavy rain, fans queued up outside the Sanlitun Apple store to be among the first users to purchase the iPhone 16 series and pick up their reserved devices.
Earlier this month, Apple introduced a new iPhone model with artificial intelligence (AI) technology aimed at boosting sales. However, Apple has not yet announced its AI partners in China, and its AI software “Apple Intelligence” will not have a Chinese version until next year. However, Chinese Apple fans interviewed by Reuters seemed unfazed.
“For me, AI in the iPhone is not a major issue at the moment,” said one Apple fan surnamed Shi, considering it more of a gimmick at this stage.
When asked about Huawei’s new product released on the same day, the fan mentioned that Huawei phones are too expensive and not suitable for ordinary customers. He shared that he upgrades his iPhone every year.
Despite heavy rain in Shanghai on the same day, Apple fans remained enthusiastic, lining up to purchase the new devices, creating a bustling atmosphere inside the store. While some netizens questioned the need to go to such lengths for a phone, others argued that it is a display of “true love.”
Similar enthusiasm was seen in Taiwan and Hong Kong, where many fans stayed up late or queued early in the morning to purchase the four models priced starting at 29,900 Taiwan dollars (about 992 US dollars).
According to a report by “Hong Kong 01,” every Apple store in Hong Kong was packed with fans queuing up for the new devices. At the flagship store on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, long lines continued into the afternoon, with apparent scalpers outside the store engaging in immediate transactions. Some fans who purchased two iPhone 16 Pro Max devices said they would give one to their mothers, never forgetting filial piety.
Huawei also released its new foldable screen phone, the Mate XT, on the same day. Reuters observed about 30 people queueing outside a Huawei store in Beijing, while over a hundred were in line outside the Apple store. The situation was similar in Shenzhen.
A Mr. Rui, who tried out Huawei’s products in Shenzhen, told Reuters, “I wanted to see what the fuss was about, but it’s a bit bulky and not very practical.”