iPhone 17 series launch in Singapore draws early morning queues
Over 250 people turned up before dawn for Apple’s latest iPhone, with many favouring the Pro Max in Cosmic Orange.
By Aaron Yip -
More than 250 people were already lined up outside the Apple Store on Orchard Road this morning before doors opened at 8am for the launch of the iPhone 17 series. The first buyers had arrived as early as 4am, with quite a few from neighbouring Vietnam and the Philippines, while some had even stayed overnight to secure a spot in the queue.
By 6.45am, the line stretched along the mall frontage, filled with self-proclaimed Apple fans eager to get their hands on the new models. For many, it was about being among the first to own the latest iPhone, while others were targeting specific colours or higher-capacity versions that tend to sell out quickly.
Despite the wee hours, the atmosphere was a mix of excitement and patience, with customers sharing stories about their first iPhones and why they felt the need to join the queue so early. Several noted that while online pre-orders had been available, nothing quite matched the experience of physically collecting a new device on launch day at Apple’s flagship store.
And from my observation at the store floor, many customers in line seemed to be leaning towards the iPhone 17 Pro Max, especially in the new Cosmic Orange finish that stood out as the most sought-after colour of the morning. In contrast, the iPhone Air, despite its slimmer design and exclusive accessories, drew noticeably less attention. Many buyers I spoke to said they were holding out on that model, preferring to first see how it fares in the hands of early adopters or wait for detailed online reviews before deciding if it should be their next iPhone purchase.
This year’s turnout mirrored previous launches, with queues outside Orchard Road becoming something of a ritual for new iPhone releases. Apple officially made the iPhone 17 series available in Singapore today, which also included the flagships iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, alongside the iPhone Air. The new phones bring upgrades such as a standardised ProMotion display across all models for the first time, the latest A19 (A19 Pro for the Pro and Air) processor, and improved cameras, with prices starting from S$1,299.