Anger consumes iPhone 7 queues at Apple stores as phones sell out around the world
Being amongst the first in the world to get an iPhone 7 Plus was meant to be a thrill for those waiting for Friday at Apple Stores around the world.
Yet disappointment set in Thursday, as Apple announced no iPhone 7 Plus or Jet Black iPhone 7 units will be available at its stores for walk-in customers when it releases on Friday.
Both models have completely sold out, and unless you were lucky or shrewd enough to pre-order one online fast enough to get a Sept. shipping date, you won't be getting one very soon.
You May Also Like
It's something that came as a surprise to Bishoy Behman, 17, who is first in line with four other friends waiting at the Apple Store in Sydney, Australia. He had been waiting there since Wednesday morning, and was informed that he would miss out on the Plus on Thursday afternoon.
"Looking around, everyone's pretty pissed off," he told Mashable Australia. "It's a bit frustrating that I sacrificed my HSC (higher school certificate) lessons and school for this."
"In the end it was for nothing. When you have a release on Friday, you're meant to save some stock for it. They know there's going to be a line. They know there's going to be people waiting."
For friend Marcus Barsoum, 16, it's the third time he's camped overnight for an iPhone. On why he's queued up so often, Bassoum explained he loves the "thrill" and "hype" of being amongst the first on release day.
"I'm a diehard Apple fan, so that's just how it works," he said. But this year is obviously different.
"The 7 Plus being sold out this year, it's saddening. It really is. I've been waiting out for so long, and having that 'hey it's not coming out for you' ... it was a bit of a mission [to wait out here] you know?"
Mazen Kourouche, 18, is luckier. He had pre-ordered his iPhone 7 Plus, unlike his friends who hoped they could walk in and buy one -- as it could've been done before.
"I've been planning to queue up for months," he said, looking forward to using his purchase to further his app development. Kourouche was at Apple's WWDC back in June, after his iPhone app Medyc helped him secure a student scholarship.
Right in front of the Apple Store, a trash can was filled with camping equipment, apparently dumped after people had given up their spot upon hearing the Plus or the Jet Black models were not going to be sold for walk-ins.
Soon after the trio spoke of their disappointment, an Apple Store employee came to inform them and the 20 or so people who were in line that they'd receive a A$100 Apple Store gift card by way of an apology for the stock issue.
"What's a $100 gift card when you want an iPhone 7 Plus," Behman said.
"It's better than nothing," Barsoum retorted. "It's good they sorted something out."
Both will still stay around till Friday morning when the iPhone 7 comes out, but Barsoum and Behman will have to buy the non-Plus models of the iPhone 7 in store.
"I can see myself happy with the 7 Matte Black, then selling that in the foreseeable future, then I'll get a iPhone 7 Plus," Barsoum said.
Barsoum isn't angry at the Sydney retail store, but the outage has put a dampener to what was going to be an exciting moment.
"I'm not going to say it's Apple Sydney's fault. I think someone stuffed up higher in the Apple stocktake, if this is a global issue and you're first in line at the store," he said.
"If the latest model, the newest colour, was available for people who are just online, it takes away from the spirit of Apple. It takes away from the spirit of the line up. The hype of you walking in, cheering and clapping for you. They're cheering for the people at home, who ordered it online and had it delivered to them. That's what they did."
As the sun sets and the noise of the roadworks in front of the store begin where it will continue through the night, it's fair to say the excitement of release day isn't quite what it used to be for Apple's biggest fans.
