Apple fans in quest for new iPhone 6S, 6S Plus not deterred by haze
SINGAPORE — Despite the haze, Apple fans ventured out of their homes early this morning (Sept 25) to get their hands on a new iPhone.
Telcos Singtel, StarHub and M1 released pre-ordered sets of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus today, as the new handsets hit stores in several countries, including Singapore, Japan, Australia, China and the US.
Close to 500 people were in line ahead of the 8am opening of Singtel’s iPhone launch event at Marina Bay Sands.
Mr Daryl Lee, 31, who secured himself a 128GB iPhone 6S in rose gold colour, arrived at 4.45am and was Singtel’s first customer.
Singtel said that interest for the new iPhones was oversubscribed at 40,000 customers. with Singtel’s 12,000 appointment slots for the three-day event fully snapped up.
An M1 spokesperson said its first customer arrived at the M1 outlet in Paragon Shopping Centre shortly after 6am, while StarHub saw about 30 customers arriving at its VivoCity branch just before 11am.
Mr Chua Hian Hou, M1's Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications, said the telco has secured limited quantities of additional N95 masks. "These masks will be made available to customers experiencing haze-related symptoms while waiting for walk-in purchases at our Change Alley, Paragon, Westmall outlets. We are also working with building owners to allow customers to wait indoors where possible."
Queues are expected as walk-in sales at all three telcos start tomorrow.
At Courts Somerset in Orchard, about 30 people queued up outside the store last night, but were subsequently advised to go home because of the worsening haze. The customers were given priority status when they returned today to purchase their handsets.
The haze entered hazardous levels at 4am today, while the three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was above 300 fron 7pm yesterday until 8am today.
