Singaporeans get their hands on newly-released iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
After Apple unveiled its iPhone 8 and 8 Plus earlier this month, fans have been eager to get their hands on the new smartphones. On Friday morning (22 September), those in Singapore got to do just that.
In the morning, Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore saw about 50 people in queue outside Marina Bay Sands Exhibition Hall C for the launch of the new mobile devices organised by local telco Singtel.
The iPhone 8 retails at $1,148 (64GB) and $1,388 (256GB), while the iPhone 8 Plus retails at $1,308 (64GB) and $1,548 (256GB). They are available in black, space grey and gold.
Civil servant Eng Guan Theng, 30, was the first in line. He bought two sets of the iPhone 8 Plus, one for himself and another as a gift for his mother. He had pre-ordered the phones, but he still took leave from work so that he could start queuing from 6am.
“I have been using Android phones for the past few years so I think it is a good change back to Apple,” said Eng. “My last iPhone was the first iPhone (3GS) which was released in 2008.”
On why he would rather get the iPhone 8 Plus instead of the more advanced iPhone X, Eng said, “I’m not so much into the phone features I just want it fast, it is also quite expensive.”
Other customers we spoke to also felt that the iPhone X, which boasts better features such as improved camera functions, would not be worth their money. Retailing at $1,648, the iPhone X comes with a larger and faster 12-megapixel camera sensor and telephoto camera feature, among others.
“The iPhone X is just too expensive for me. Besides, the iPhone 8 already has a lot of new features,” said one of the first ten customers, who only wanted to be known as Mr Tan.
“It is always very exciting when the new iPhone launches in Singapore,” said Gan Siok Hoon, the vice president for retail and channel sales for Singtel’s consumer division. “With our network upgrade and new combo and DATA X INFINITY plans, we are pleased to offer our customers the ultimate iPhone 8, 8 Plus experience in Singapore.”
In other parts of Singapore, dozens of people also formed lines to buy the newest iPhones in various retail centres, including at Apple’s flagship store on Orchard Road.
At the Singtel event, here’s what went down:
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