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The highly anticipated AI-enabled iPhone 16 made its debut in Apple stores worldwide, launching in nearly 60 countries early Friday morning. This new generation of iPhone marks Apple’s entry into a new chapter of artificial intelligence, coinciding with the release of other products, including the Apple Watch Series 10, an updated Apple Watch Ultra 2, and new AirPods.
While the iPhone 16 does not come pre-loaded with Apple Intelligence, it is compatible with the forthcoming software, set to arrive with iOS 18 next month. This latest model boasts significant enhancements, such as vibrant new color options and the introduction of two innovative buttons: Camera Control and Action.
A Glimpse of the Launch in Singapore
At the flagship Apple store on Orchard Road in Singapore, the atmosphere mirrored the excitement of past product launches, with enthusiastic crowds gathering for the event. Prior to the store’s opening at 8 a.m., customers began lining up as early as 4 a.m., divided between those picking up pre-orders and those hoping to make walk-in purchases.
By 9 a.m., approximately 300 individuals formed a line for walk-in purchases. Outside, resellers who had already acquired their maximum pre-orders of two iPhones sought additional units from buyers who had extras. Many of these resellers had traveled from countries such as Vietnam and Sri Lanka, where there are no official Apple stores, or from India, which hosts two locations. Some were seen carrying multiple merchandise bags along with carry-on suitcases filled with their new devices.
In a conversation with a local couple in their mid-20s, they expressed their excitement for attending an Apple launch for the first time. Having pre-ordered several iPhone 16 units, they retained two for personal use while selling the rest to interested buyers they encountered outside. One of them shared that he successfully sold each additional phone to a Vietnamese group for a profit of around 150 Singapore dollars, equivalent to $116.
“There’s not much profit from this; it was more of a fun experience,” he explained. This sentiment of excitement was echoed by another long-time iPhone fan, who has attended launch events since 2011, even before the Orchard flagship store opened. Despite the anticipation, he noted that the crowd felt somewhat subdued compared to previous launches.
With the iPhone 16 launch, Apple is under significant pressure as sales figures dropped in Q3 compared to the previous year. Analysts suggest that the successful implementation of AI technology could be crucial for revitalizing Apple’s revenue. However, pre-orders were reported to be approximately 13% lower than those seen with the iPhone 15, largely attributed to the gradual implementation of AI features and increasing competition, particularly in China. Moving forward, the success of this launch could be a pivotal moment for Apple as it looks to bolster its hardware sales following the buzz generated by its upcoming software advancements.
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