CARMEL -
The wait is over for the people across the country who stood in line to be the first to own the iPhone 5. The new model broke sales records with pre-orders.
It's a familiar sight, and similar to pre-Christmas sales: long lines and lack of sleep.
"I've been out here since about four in the afternoon," said customer James Logan. "Thursday afternoon."
"I'm not really materialistic but when it comes to the iPhone I have to have it," said Esteban Smith.
It may as well have been Christmas for the crowds camped outside at the Fashion Mall all night. Hours before Friday's 8:00 am release of the highly touted iPhone 5, people passed the time and marked their place in line outside the Apple store and in smaller outlets like the AT&T store in Carmel.
"This is the fastest selling iPhone we've ever had," said Leisa Zang, AT&T director of sales.
While the line here doesn't show it, pre-order sales of Apple's new innovation broke records at AT&T as word spread about its must-have features.
"It'll have a larger screen, more room to play games," said Mark Meyer, customer.
The store opened an hour early to accommodate those here to see what all the fuss is about. Now that the iPhone 5 is on store shelves, customers can make a side by side comparison. They'll notice a larger screen and lightweight features.
Mark Meyer was second in line and first out the door with his new phone proudly in the palm of his hand. It turned out to be a birthday present.
"I'm the first in my school to have one," he said. "Check this out, guys! I have one! You don't!"
The 5 promises a thinner and lighter body, with a long battery life.
If you have an iPhone already, and aren't ready or can't afford to upgrade to the iPhone 5, you won't be left completely in the past. You can download the new iPhone operating system to your current phone. It will put many of the iPhone 5 features on your older phone. You can get it online in the iTunes store.
Around the world
In London, some shoppers camped out for a week in a line that snaked around the block. The first customers in Hong Kong were greeted by cheering and chanting store employees who gave them high-fives.
Japan's Kyodo News says police in Osaka are investigating the theft of nearly 200 of the new iPhones -- more than half of them from one shop. In London, police are looking for a man in connection with the theft of 252 iPhones from a shop in Wimbledon early today.
Many in the crowds in London -- largely from the city's Asian community -- were planning to send the phones to family and friends back home as gifts, or sell them in countries where they are much more expensive.
The new iPhone won't be available for another week in 22 countries. And a release date in China still hasn't been set.
Sell your old iPhone
Campers await the iPhone 5 in Carmel.
Campers wait outside the Apple store at the Fashion Mall.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTHR. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
