Hundreds of people lined up outside the Eaton Centre in Toronto overnight and on Friday morning to get their hands on the new iPhones.
Friday is the day many Apple fans have had circled on their calendars, as the iPhone 6 and iPhone Plus went on sale in Canada and the U.S. at 8 a.m.
680News reporter Carl Hanstke said it’s the longest lineup he’s seen for an iPhone launch at the Eaton Centre. He estimates around 500 people have lined up outside the store.
One Apple enthusiast named Bianca said she’s been waiting since Wednesday afternoon.
“There’s a really big ritual to this, and it’s really nice to be a part of it,” she said.
However, she is not the first in line. Others have been waiting since Monday night.
A man named Reshan was the last person in line; however, he told Breakfast Television’s Winston Sih he wouldn’t camp out for a product overnight.
There are reports a lot of people are buying them to sell online for between $3,000 to $6,000. Others are reportedly also selling their spots in line.
CityNews technology specialist Mike Yawney said the iPhones are the largest ever released. Watch a video of his review here.They are sleek with curved glass edges, and are thin and light. The devices also feature a HD retina display, which is more crisp, and an improved camera.
However, the most highly-anticipated feature will not be available to Canadians at launch. The NFC technology that Apple embedded in the phone for its Apple Pay Service, where a user taps a phone at the store to pay, will only launch in the U.S. for now.
Apple is allowing people to buy two iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices, with the base models selling for $749 and $859, respectively.
The cost for an iPhone 6 starts at $264.99 (16GB) under select two-year plans at Rogers, while the iPhone 6 Plus starts at $374.99.
Apple employees flood Eaton Centre store prepping for the iPhone 6 launch in minutes! @BTtoronto @CityNews @680News pic.twitter.com/HAcOPDiAqu
— Winston Sih (@WinstonSih) September 19, 2014
At Apple Store for iPhone 6 launch this morning for @BTtoronto. The lines here are insane and like never before. pic.twitter.com/DWzE2HMlM7
— Winston Sih (@WinstonSih) September 19, 2014
Toronto Eaton Centre iPhone line at 2pm Sep18 Sure it will grow exponentially after 5pm. @iPhoneinCanada pic.twitter.com/cV2czKbfWT
— Randy Chafe (@RandyTO) September 18, 2014
This is currently the line foe the iPhone 6 at the Toronto Eaton Centre. #iPhone6 #iPhoneProblems pic.twitter.com/0ZKfpOl7SP
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) September 19, 2014
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, around 1,000 people gathered outside Apple’s flagship store in Tokyo as sales kicked off in Japan. In Hong Kong, hundreds lined up to score their pre-ordered iPhones.
The launch has been delayed in mainland China, which has sparked scalpers in Hong Kong to make a pretty profit.
With files from CityNews.ca and Carl Hanstke/680News.
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