iPhone 5 Goes on Sale Around the World, First Impressions

The iPhone 5 has been launching across the world this evening, starting in Australia and now extending into Europe. The iPhone 5 will go on sale in the U.S. at 8am local time.

A3SyoosCQAEObnk
Mac-TV.de posted this image of the Frankfurt, Germany Apple Store shortly before it opens. USA Today reports on large lines in many countries:

Eager buyers formed long lines at Apple stores in Australia and Japan. In Hong Kong, buyers had to sign up online for the chance to pick up the device at a preset time. The first customers were greeted by staff cheering, clapping, chanting "iPhone 5! iPhone 5!" and high-fiving them as they were escorted through the front door.

Meanwhile, one reader from Australia has posted their first impressions of their new iPhone 5 and has been posting more photos in the thread.

photo2bv
Of their new iPhone, thaifood wrote:

The screen size is noticeably taller. The change in aspect ratio feels good. The lack of increase in width seems awkward in photos, but when you hold it you understand how much more comfortable it feels when compared to a wider phone. The dock is so tiny now! I almost missed it when checking out the bottom of the device. The speaker grills also look great in the finished modal. They do not appear as large as photos portray them to be.

Italian site iSpazio.net has posted their own unboxing photos and video.

Those who have pre-ordered can follow their packages with others in our AT&T, Apple (U.S.), UK, Canadian, Verizon or Sprint pre-order discussion threads. The iPhone 5 will become available in the U.S. at retail stores at 8 a.m. local time.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

fel10 Avatar
144 months ago
All I can think about while reading this.

Score: 54 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DeltaHF Avatar
144 months ago
That is quite possibly the creepiest wallpaper I have ever seen. :eek:
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MH01 Avatar
144 months ago
Dude USA, were supposed to be #1, why is everyone else ahead of us! lol uggggh tomorrow is gonna be a long wait to get mine in the mail

The earth is round....spinning around the sun...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sweetooth44 Avatar
144 months ago
^^ The wallpaper is the entrance to a Sydney theme park called Luna Park.

I got my 32GB White iPhone 5 about 7 hours ago now. Had to really fight to find a Telstra Nano SIM due to demand, but I managed to get one and it's working.

First impressions:
- it looks strange at first but use it for an hour and it's so much nicer
- build quality is second to none - they weren't joking about it feeling like a Swiss watch
- the clarity and contrast of the screen has been hugely increased
- the new Lightning cable is a joy to plug in, so much less fiddly than before
- the front camera is vastly improved, especially in colour temperature
- scarily thin in comparison to the 4S
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GenesisJLS Avatar
144 months ago
How current iPhone users see the iPhone 5.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JoshAlder Avatar
144 months ago
when i open the door to UPS

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Apple WWDC23 macOS Sonoma hero

macOS Sonoma Launching This Week With These New Features

Sunday September 24, 2023 12:45 pm PDT by
Apple previously announced that macOS Sonoma will be released this Tuesday, September 26. The free software update includes many new features and changes for the Mac, including the five that we have highlighted below. In addition to these five features, we have shared the full release notes for macOS Sonoma below for a complete overview of everything new. Desktop Widgets macOS Sonoma...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...