Happy new iPhone day, Apple fans!
We hit up the iconic glass cube Apple Store on Fifth Ave in New York City this morning, where eager Apple fans turned out in droves to be among the first in the world to get their hands on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. New iPhone launches are always a spectacle at Apple's flagship New York City retail store, and this year was even crazier than years past, which isn't surprising given the record number of pre-orders the company received.
The line literally wrapped around an entire city block — and then some. It extended all the way down 58th St. before rounding the corner onto Madison Avenue and making its way up 59th St. to the front of the store. But unlike year's past the line didn't end there. Once it reached the front of the store, it kept going back up Fifth Ave, nearly reaching 61st St.
Standing at the front of the line was Moon Ray, 25, from Jackson, Miss., who had been waiting outside the store for 19 days, and admitted she was there as a marketing stunt to promote an app called Video Medicine. Despite having a blow-up mattress, solar panels, sleeping bags, and a big umbrella for the sun, the long wait wasn't easy for Ray and her companions.
At times, it was difficult to stay positive, she said. Some New Yorkers were less than friendly, threatening Ray and calling her "pathetic" for waiting in line. The rain and chilly temperatures at night didn't help either.
"It's been rough," she said. "If this wasn't for a good cause, I don't know if I'd be able to endure."
Further down the line was Brooklyn resident Alex Zazulin, who had been there for nearly two days, and said the experience was "horrible," "uncomfortable," and "cold," especially since he had to sleep in a chair. By Friday morning, Zazulin was "dizzy and tired" but eager to pick up a 128GB iPhone 6 Plus in gold, and a 64GB iPhone 6 in black.
"I wanted to see how it felt to do this," he said, adding that one time was enough; he would not do it again. "I thought people were crazy to do it. I had to feel it."
One person who didn't seem to mind the wait was Queens resident Mark Alegria, who arrived at the store around 4 p.m. on Thursday, and said camping out for the new iPhone is his yearly tradition. This year, Alegria planned to pick up the 128GB iPhone 6 Plus in gray, and was most excited about the bigger screen, improved camera, Apple Pay, and the new Health App.
"I just love Apple products," he said. "I basically have every Apple product out there."
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.
"It feels amazingly light," he said of his new iPhone 6 Plus. "I wasn't sure if I was going to like the big size but I love it. So excited right now."
Second to emerge from the store was Eduardo Campos, 26, who flew in from Hong Kong just to get an iPhone 6 Plus, and had been waiting in line for 16 days.
"We got tarps for the rain, umbrellas, sleeping bags — everything," he said. "It was worth the wait."
For more, check out PCMag's hands on with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
(Photos by Edward Schneckloth)