Another year, another iPhone extravaganza. For the first time ever, Apple released two iPhones simultaneously, the low-cost iPhone 5c model and the high-end iPhone 5s. Neither variants are major leaps forward, but that did not stop customers from lining up as usual for their fresh Apple fixes.
The new iPhone launch was also the first time that Apple decided to hit several major worldwide markets at the same time. Previous iPhones have typically launched in the United States first, but Apple was looking to make a global splash this time around with the new iPhones. The Cupertino giant simultaneously launched the iPhone 5 in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Despite lowering temperatures in some of these regions and the obvious inconvenience of lining up outside a store for hours, even days, many Apple fanatics were rather proud of their decision, despite the fact that the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are not entirely fresh devices, but rather tweaked rehashes of last year's iPhone 5, which introduced the 4-inch aesthetic.
"I love getting every Apple product," said Brian Ceballo, a Brooklyn teenager who was the first in line to receive the iPhone at Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York City. "I'm a 19-year-old teenager. You know what they say - the new generation."
Ceballo had reportedly camped out for 15 days, leaving his space to his cousin only to eat and shower. "I slept good," he said. "I slept 8-9 hours [a night]," Ceballo said of his ordeal.
Of course, marring the entire launch is Apple's relatively low inventory of its most popular new iPhone 5s color: gold. The gold iPhone 5s has been the most popular pre-order pick, and most carriers state there simply isn't enough inventory to satisfy the demand. But like all Apple product launches, those who can't stand the weather for a couple weeks will have to diligently check online and in-store inventories over the next couple months in order to snag one.
Were you able to grab an iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c? Let us know what new features are your favorite in the comments section below.
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