Lines of People Waiting for the iPhone X Are Already Massive

The iPhone X officially launches tomorrow, and customers are already lining up at Apple Stores around the globe for a chance to nab one of the premium OLED handsets.

In many cases, prospective iPhone X buyers came prepared — often with chairs, blankets and food items to hold them over until the OLED handset launches on Friday morning. And these queues aren’t done swelling: as the launch time inches closer, the lines are only going to get bigger as the day goes on.

At this point, it’s already looking like the anticipation and excitement iPhone X launch is far overshadowing the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus launch event — which many media outlets described as “bleak.” Some Apple Stores are already seeing hundreds more customers gathered for a shot to purchase an iPhone X than they did for its 2017 stablemates.

Some people standing in line have already been waiting for hours. According to a Twitter user in California, hopeful iPhone X purchasers already started lining up around 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Palo Alto Apple Store location — just under two full days from the launch on Friday. And, to be fair, this line is a lot smaller than in other places.

Now with photo. 3 PM Wednesday before iPhone X goes on sale and there’s already 9 people (chairs?) lined up at the Palo Alto Apple Store. http://pic.twitter.com/DmPQuBNXBn

— Héctor Ramos 🇵🇷 (@hectorramos) November 1, 2017

The situation is similar in the UK, with lines already forming outside of the Regent Street Apple retail location in London, according to a post by Twitter user Dean Johnson.

Even more customers are lined up at the Orchard Street location in Singapore. As of Thursday, local media station Channel News Asia reported that there were “hundreds” gathered outside of the brick-and-mortar outlet a full day before the iPhone X launch. Employees even began to set up corrals to keep the crowd organized, and began giving wristbands to line participants.

"This is the 10-year anniversary of the iPhone after all": Why one #Apple fan is queuing overnight for #iPhoneX https://t.co/miw1V95rM1 http://pic.twitter.com/gmJLMB3WBQ

— Channel NewsAsia (@ChannelNewsAsia) November 2, 2017

Lines at Apple Stores in Japan are similarly as long. According to a Twitter user, lines at a retail location in Osaka, Japan stretched two blocks from the entrance — with the user estimating a crowd of about 200 to 300 people.

MASSIVE lines at the Shinsaibashi Apple Store in Osaka! It’s 10:30pm and the line goes TWO BLOCKS. Easily 200-300 people.#iPhoneX http://pic.twitter.com/KqQkXvmjeo

— Kayleeだよぉ〜♡ (@kayleedayo) November 2, 2017

Apple Stores in Australia, which will be one of the first countries that the iPhone X will launch in, are seeing similar crowds.

Apple Store queue continues to grow… #iPhoneX http://pic.twitter.com/Rd8MaSzIXx

— Nick Parfene (@nicktmro) October 30, 2017

Despite the fact that Apple has promised that retail outlets will have iPhone X devices in stock for walk-in customers, it’s extremely likely that supplies will be constrained — especially as the demand is so demonstrably high across the globe. So while some customers will be able to get their hands on an iPhone X, many will be left waiting.

The iPhone X is largely expected to spur an “upgrade supercycle” for Apple, one that could launch the company well past its $1 trillion market cap milestone. With massive lines already forming for the premium device — in spite of its high price tag — things are looking up for Cupertino. That’s especially true as the company’s financial future could largely depend on how well the iPhone X does.

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