Hundreds queue outside Highcross Leicester for new iPhone 5
Hundreds of people were queuing outside Highcross Leicester this morning to become some of the first Apple fans to own a new iPhone 5.
Some people had started queuing from as early as 8pm yesterday evening and slept outside to get their hands on the latest iPhone.
Kexin Sun, 34, a masters student who lives in the city centre camped out from 9pm last night to be one of the first to get his hands on the gadget.
“I want to get one before I go back to my home country of China,” he said. “I thought I might as well try and since I am so near the front of the queue I think I have been successful. I am very excited and happy.”
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The latest Apple phone was available from 8am and is already guaranteed to be a best-seller, with the company reporting pre-orders around the world of two million in just 24 hours and adding that demand has been so great many customers will not get them until October.
The phone, which is thinner and lighter than previous models and can use the newly-announced 4G network, costs from £529, with the 32GB model selling for £599 and the 64GB version costing £699.
The launch of new Apple products traditionally attracts impressive queues at the brand’s stores, with first-time campers joining veterans who are willing to sleep rough to be one of the first to own the latest piece of technology.
Reaction on Twitter to the excitement over the iPhone launch in Leicester was mixed. @Just_Newey tweeted: "People have been at @Highcross since last night for this iPhone thing? Whaaat. What's all the hype about?"
@Blakeetaylor on the other hand said: "Woow the net store is open! They want business!!! #iphone5queue @Highcross." @Blakeetaylor reckoned hundreds were queuing: "Wow must be like 600+ plus here now!" #iphone5queue @Highcross. And earlier in the evening
@AndrewSymeou warned "@Nandos_Official in Leicester @Highcross made a drastic mistake leaving furniture outside on iPhone release night. They are all gonna goo!"
The queue this morning via Dipz.P @ChocDipz on Twitter.
On Regent Street in London, two Leicester men made it to the front of the queue to help raise money for a good cause.
Richard Wheatcroft and George Horne, of social enterprise crowdfuelledcauses.com, which has its headquarters in Phoenix Square, said they were going to sell the phones and use the money to raise awareness of Hope Boutique Bakery which supports vulnerable people. The pair were the first in the queue - arriving on Saturday, September 15.
To read more about how they got on and to donate go to: crowdfuelledcauses.com
Pictures via @crowdfuelled on Twitter
• More pictures and reaction in tomorrow's Leicester Mercury.
Comments
by Scottmason
Saturday, September 22 2012, 9:42AM
“Queueing up since since Thursday is bad enough, but queueing for A WEEK??? Must be tapped, i like my Apple gadgets as much as the next bloke but come on, people are a paying up to and over a grand on ebay, i'll keep on enjoying my 4 for now then get the latest one in a month when the hype has died down and its half the price thanks, lol.”
by Eastonian
Saturday, September 22 2012, 7:47AM
“I can't think we're ever going to be queuing for something as basic as bread!!
And what about the so-called recession we're supposed to be living in and where do these folk get the money from to buy these gadgets?
Perhaps they're happy to forego the bread to obtain what they see as this "must have" item".
Who was it who said; "we've never had it so good"?!!”
by karinfall1955
Friday, September 21 2012, 7:29PM
“Suppose we should be grateful they are queuing for gadgets rather than bread but can't help thinking how sad and pathetic it is. Bet their elation lasted for all of half an hour..”
by Rodders65
Friday, September 21 2012, 6:15PM
“@ Olive53....
More than likely 90% of them are on JSA.”
by olive53
Friday, September 21 2012, 1:59PM
“What saddo's they are, for goodness sake get a life, wonder if some of them are supposedly on the bread line and won't be able to afford presents for their children at Christmas, pay their rent or buy decent food!!!!”
by DBLeicester
Friday, September 21 2012, 1:48PM
“If people were this eager to find employment we would have the strongest economy in the World..!”
by 4_Stroke
Friday, September 21 2012, 1:35PM
“Just take a step back for a second.... That's seven hundred quid for a phone, which costs about fifty quid to make in China and probably replaces the five hundred quid phone they bought a year ago. Its techno-worship gone mad.”
by Sundip_UK
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:49PM
“In an ideal world - in a parallel universe somewhere - people are queuing like this to exercise their right to vote.”
by PLYMFOX01
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:38PM
“They must be bonkers....... Where do they get the money from when there is meant to be no money about?”
by DBLeicester1
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:12PM
“Sheep...............”