The iPhone 7 hits stores -- but some models are already sold out + Asia gives iPhone 7 subdued welcome

Apple fans are finally laying their hands on the brand new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Eager customers joined long lines in cities like Sydney and Hong Kong on Friday as the new models went on sale, more than a week after they were unveiled.

Apple (AAPL, Tech30) is releasing the phones, which are water resistant and feature beefed-up cameras, in more than 25 countries around the world. But people who haven't reserved one in advance won't be able to be too picky about the color.

They'll be available at Apple stores, carriers and retail partners. Many locations planned to open their doors an hour early to accommodate the anticipated demand...

Source / Read More... money.cnn.com by Heather Kelly and Jethro Mullen @CNNTech

Asia gives iPhone 7 subdued welcome

Apple Inc (AAPL.O) fans from Sydney to Shanghai, the first customers worldwide to snap the new iPhone 7 off the shelves, cheered as they left stores on Friday brandishing their purchases, flanked by applauding sales staff.

But underneath the usual fanfare, the crowds of enthusiasts and overnight campers were smaller than in past years. Some customers complained after the larger version and models with the new jet-black color sold out.

In part, online pre-ordering has made queues unnecessary for all but diehard fans, and in Chinese stores only those who had ordered in advance were queuing to collect.

Yet in markets like China, online interest in the new phone has also been muted compared to past launches, as cheaper local brands amp up their features, design and marketing.

Wu Ting, a 28-year-old from Nanjing, was surprised to find herself first in line at a downtown Apple store in Shanghai on Friday, a holiday in China.

"I found last year that there were crowds of people, but this year almost no-one. I came an hour early thinking I'd have to wait a long time before getting seen," Wu said.

Source / Read More... reuters.com By Adam Jourdan and Tom Westbrook | SHANGHAI/SYDNEY

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