Brighton goes iPhone crazy

Brighton's main shopping centre was a mass of delirious, redeyed, shivering youngsters as diehard Apple fans queued overnight for the launch of the new iPhone 5.

Technology nuts, who came from as far as Kent and Surrey, started their vigil as early as 10.30pm on Thursday.

And despite temperatures slumping overnight, spirits were high, with Apple staff handing out coffee and Danish pastries.

Ben Foldesi, 17, and his dad Adrian made the journey from Angmering on Thursday evening, arriving at Churchill Square Shopping Centre shortly before 10.30pm.

Ben said: “It was great to be at the front of the queue. We didn’t get much sleep but it was definitely worth it.”

Stuart Chapman, 37, was still a long way back in the queue having arrived at 5am. He said: “I was here for the last launch and there are definitely more people this morning.”

Freezing customers kept themselves warm overnight with impromptu games of football on the plaza, complete with jumpers for goalposts.

Others chatted around a makeshift barbecue with some watching films and listening to music for the last time on their iPhone 4s.

A small group even decided to make a night of it, joining the queue after rolling out of a nearby nightclub in the early hours.

Pals IbrahimAbusanina, 27, Daniyar Tashulat, 19, and Abdulrahman Algasn, 19, emerged from the Apple store at 8.45am, giddy with excitement and grins from ear to ear.

Mr Tashulat said: “It’s the best phone in the world. I’ve been waiting for this for a year-and-a-half so I can’t believe I’ve finally got my hands on it.”

Hanne Krogsgaard-Nielsen, who is originally from Denmark but now lives in Burgess Hill, was attending her first iPhone launch.

She said: “They haven’t released itin Denmark yet so I’m actually buying two phones to send home.”

Comments(12)

MrHove says...
4:06pm Sat 22 Sep 12

PEOPLE!!! its just a phone,

ASBO academy inmate 2291D says...
4:21pm Sat 22 Sep 12

"mass of delirious, redeyed, shivering youngsters".
Goodness, sounds more like a holding tank for groupies at a rap concert.

5 inches long and as thin as a pencil...no wonder people are playing with Angry Birds on it.

sbiscorrupt says...
4:47pm Sat 22 Sep 12

Too much money, too little sense!

lorrie1 says...
6:34pm Sat 22 Sep 12

I thought everyone was broke? but can afford a £600 phone. I bet the people at apple are laughing at all you fools,
In a few months they will bring out i-phone six! will the madness never end?

Flippin Burghers says...
6:36pm Sat 22 Sep 12

You're mad you are.

mustaphaLeeko says...
6:41pm Sat 22 Sep 12

Honestly, why do people fall for the Apple hype, overpriced rubbish in my opinion, hyped to death and in many cases technically inferior to other phones just "well designed" and supposedly fashionable!!!

Anyone for Apple Maps? I'll stick with Samsung all the same thanks LOL!!!

Vigilia says...
9:01pm Sat 22 Sep 12

and you can order it from the Apple Store online and have it delivered to your door.

tengri says...
11:01pm Sat 22 Sep 12

MrHove wrote:
PEOPLE!!! its just a phone,
I hear WHSmiths is doing a roaring trade in maps to help iPhone users find the way back home.

Maxwell's Ghost says...
11:44pm Sat 22 Sep 12

I recall the olden days when teenage boys and girls got off on The Bay City Rollers, The Osmonds or Bros.
Now it's a piece of plastic.....like Justin Bieber.

Roundbill says...
1:12am Sun 23 Sep 12

I walked past the queue - absolutely stank of B.O., virginity and spot cream.

anonymous coward says...
4:17pm Mon 24 Sep 12

"Technology nuts"?

I think you mean "fashion nuts".

iPhone has never been anywhere close to the cutting edge of technology. It is, however, very pretty.

I was going to add "and easy to use" but that doesn't seem to be true anymore.

geo4news says...
6:12pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Hi there,

Just to let you know, I was actually the first at the cue me and my mum waited from 7 oclock on Thursday all the way till 8am thats thirteen hours. I managed to get the day of college as I made my college and iPhone app, we ended up buying three iPhone 5's. So I don't know were you got those people from I think they were about 5th in the cue :P

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree