How many people do you need before you can call it a queue? Eager iPhone enthusiasts gathered outside mobile phone shops in Dublin city centre this morning at the crack of dawn - but without the hype and not in large numbers.
They were there to get their hands on the highly anticipated iPhone6, released in Ireland today, but because most people will have pre-ordered only a handful felt it necessary to get out of bed and head into town.
Rahul Jain, originally from India but living in Dublin for seven years, said he was "surprised" he made top of the queue outside the 02 store."I just wanted to be careful and pick up a phone of my choice, but I was expecting at least someone to be ahead of me in the queue."
Next in line was Phillip Stewart from Dublin, bundled up in a blue parka jacket under the lightly falling drizzle. "I've been an Apple user now for over 15 years, it's just so easy to use and manage," he said. "My phone's on its last legs so it needs an update and is due an upgrade."
Further up the street, a small group had gathered outside Carphone Warehouse. At the top of this queue was a man who admitted to being an "iPhone virgin".
“I’ve been gripped a little bit by the hype and my children all have the iPhones,” said the man who refused to give his name. “They say dad, get an iPhone and get with the times.”
Peter Murray, the manager at Carphone Warehouse on Grafton Street, said customers were expecting a lot from the new handset.
“And I think they’re going to get a lot compared to ones in the past. Big improvements have been made through software, camera and even the aesthetic look of the phone is much improved.”
iPhone user Kevin Whelan was one of the first into the shop to purchase the latest model. “I’d lost my phone two weeks ago and I’ve been using a really cheap phone since so I was anxious to get the new one,” said Mr Whelan as he waited by the cash register to pick up his pre-ordered iPhone6. Five minutes later he’s holding up his shiny new phone to the flash of photographers gathering around him. “I love it. It’s a lot slimmer than I thought and really light. It was definitely worth coming in.”
