A photo of Apple customers eagerly lining up to buy the new iPhone has gone viral, leaving many wondering why they bother.
Taken just 30 minutes after the store opened, the image shows a long queue of people waiting outside Apple’s flagship store on George Street in Sydney’s CBD on Friday morning, eager to buy the latest iPhone 16.
“I didn’t realize you still had to wait in line to buy the new iPhone,” said the person who shared the photo on Reddit.
“Has there really been anything game-changing in phones in the last eight years? What can an iPhone 16 really do that an iPhone 8 can’t?” another user added.
A third said: “Almost like a religious cult.”
Another said: “And that’s why Apple is a $3.479 trillion company. There will always be rich people who want the brand.”
‘It’s no different from what happened with medieval lords, who wanted the most extravagant and colorful outfit or armor designed by craftsmen. Did they really need it?
“No, it was to tell everyone else how rich they were and how poor everyone else was.”
A quarter agreed: “Just people wanting to show it off at work and on social media to get likes, but no one cares. It seems to have been the same for the last ten years.”
An image of Apple customers waiting outside the brand’s flagship store in Sydney for the launch of the new range of iPhones has caused a stir on the internet (pictured)
Last year’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus came in muted pastel hues, but Apple has opted for bolder, brighter colors this year, with options in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, or black.
Another said that not all Apple fans were rich and that many would give up essentials to be able to buy “that” phone.
“I had a friend who was crying because he was poor, saying he barely had enough money to pay his rent, but the next time I saw him, he had a new iPhone, he had bought a new TV and a new laptop, all in one purchase,” he explained.
“I can’t understand why people need a new phone that costs so much and have to have it on the same day it’s released.”
The iPhone 16, which was unveiled at an event earlier this month, is described by Apple as “the dawn of a new era for iPhone.”
The iPhone 16 features new artificial intelligence capabilities, camera upgrades, and improved battery life, and is available in a variety of colors.
The device also has a new button that launches the camera app, a feature described as “amazing” and the “coolest feature ever” by fans.
“Now is the perfect time for customers to upgrade or switch to iPhone,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing for iPhone.
However, the new device doesn’t come cheap: the standard iPhone 16 model starts at $1,599.
And the most expensive option, the iPhone 16 Pro, which has a larger battery, screen and storage capacity, costs from $1,799.
The iPhone 16 is equipped with new A18 chips, which are designed for intensive AI tasks, specifically Apple Intelligence, Apple’s much-hyped suite of AI features.
Apple Intelligence, which includes a version of the Siri intelligent assistant integrated with ChatGPT, will arrive with iOS 18.1, which will be available starting next month.
Everything you need to know about the new iPhone. Review by Shivali Best
Shockproof glass
Generation Z is not known for being the best at taking care of their devices.
In fact, a recent survey by Compare and Recycle revealed that only 42 percent of Gen Z Brits use a screen protector.
However, this shouldn’t be a problem with the iPhone 16 Plus, which features impressively strong glass.
The glass has been developed with the latest generation Ceramic Shield, which is manufactured by embedding ceramic nanocrystals into the glass using a high-temperature crystallization process.
Apple claims this makes the iPhone 16 Plus twice as durable as any other smartphone on the market.
Admittedly, I haven’t used the iPhone 16 Plus enough to put it through its paces.
However, if Apple’s claims are true, then Ceramic Shield is the best smartphone screen protection you can get – ideal if you’re known for your clumsy hands!
If you’re a social media-obsessed Gen Zer, the iPhone 16 Plus might be just what you’re looking for.
Battery
We’ve all been there: you reach for your phone at the end of a busy day, only to find it’s about to die.
But the days of having to carry a portable charger with you could be a thing of the past with the iPhone 16 Plus, which has seen a huge increase in battery life.
Apple claims the iPhone 16 Plus offers up to 22 hours of video playback, up to 18 hours of streaming, and up to 80 hours of audio playback on a single charge.
During my week of testing, the battery life lasted incredibly well and was noticeably better than my previous iPhone 15 Pro.
Additionally, Apple’s magnetic charger, MagSafe, has received an upgrade.
While the first-generation MagSafe charger only delivered 15W of power, the new charger can charge up to 25W.
This is noticeably faster: my iPhone 16 Plus reaches 50 percent battery in just 30 minutes – a game-changer for people who often need to charge their smartphone quickly!
Camera
As we’ve come to expect from Apple, the iPhone 16 Plus’ camera is great for everything from group photos to portraits, selfies, and landscapes.
But it was the new 12MP Ultra Wide camera that impressed me most.
As the name suggests, this allows you to take bright wide-angle photos.
However, it also enables macro photography for the first time, thanks to the addition of autofocus.
This feature was initially introduced on the iPhone 13 Pro in 2021, but this is the first time it’s been available on cheaper iPhones.
Using it couldn’t be easier: I simply opened the Camera app, pointed the iPhone at my banana, and once the device was close enough, a little flower icon appeared.
When touched, the fruit came into focus and the intricate details of the skin were revealed.
As we’ve come to expect from Apple, the iPhone 16 Plus’ camera is great for group photos, portraits, selfies, and landscapes. But it was the new 12MP Ultra Wide camera that impressed me the most.
So is it worth upgrading?
Overall, I think the iPhone 16 Plus is a great option if you’re looking for a new smartphone, especially if you want to improve your photography skills.
The bright colors are some of the most impressive I’ve seen this year, while the improved battery life and faster MagSafe charging will be great for people who tend to charge quickly.
It’s a real shame that AI tools aren’t available yet, but thankfully Apple assures us that they’re just around the corner.
We’ll have to wait and see if they are everything Apple has said they are when we (finally) get our hands on them!
