New iPhone launches are always a spectacle at the Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City, and Friday morning was no exception.
The line literally wrapped around an entire city block, extending all the way down 58th St. before rounding the corner onto Madison Avenue and finally making its way up 59th St. to the front of the store. Those at the front of the line had been waiting there for more than a week, braving rain and chilly fall temperatures at night to be among of the first in the world to get their hands on one of Apple's new smartphones.
Standing at the front of the line was Brian Ceballo, a 19-year old Brooklyn resident (above) who had camped out with his cousin for 15 days, only leaving his spot to go to the bathroom, get food, and take a shower at a nearby gym. Even though his family members thought he was "nuts," he never went home during those 15 days, and surprisingly didn't have a problem sleeping outside in the city.
"I slept good," he said. "I slept 8-9 hours [a night]."
Also in line was Javokhir Samandarov, 21, from Uzbekistan, who got there at 4 a.m. on Friday and planned to pick up a 16GB iPhone 5s in silver. Samandarov said he was most excited about the new fingerprint scanner and upgraded camera.
"I'm quite a fan of Apple products," he said. "It's a very special thing to upgrade from my current 4S to the 5s."
Meanwhile, standing near the front of the line was 28-year-old New York City resident Shane Scurry, who got to the Apple Store at 2 a.m. on Friday and planned to get two new phones — one for himself and another as a gift for his girlfriend. Scurry said he currently has the 4S and was planning to upgrade to the 5s. While his girlfriend already has the iPhone 5, Scurry planned to get her a brand new 5s – in gold.
"I hope she'll be surprised," he said.
At 8 a.m., the crowd cheered as the doors to the striking glass cube were opened and the first people in line were let inside. Just three minutes later, Ceballo, the first person in line, emerged from the store holding his new iPhone 5s high in the air as hoards of photographers pushed to get a shot.
Ceballo said he was excited about many of the new features on the 5s, but was really just there for the experience. This marks the fifth time he's camped out for a new Apple product, and his first time at the front of the line.
"I love getting every Apple product," he said. "I'm a 19-year-old teenager. You know what they say – the new generation."
Minutes later, 23-year-old college student Eli Tian completed his purchase of a new, 64GB black iPhone 5s. Tian also said he wanted the experience of waiting in line at the Fifth Avenue Apple Store, and in the end, it was all worth it.
"It's freezing at night, but in your mind, the iPhone 5s will make you warmer," he said.
For more, check out PCMag's hands on with the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c, as well as our review of iOS 7.