Hundreds of people lined up in Toronto, many overnight, to be the first in Canada to hold the new iPhone 4.
Despite complaints pouring in from the United States about Apple's latest gadget, many people outside the store Friday said they weren't concerned about the reports of minor signal problems with the phone.
Gary Chan, 21, arrived at the mall at 10 p.m. on Thursday to line up. At around 1:30 a.m., the line was moved outside so the mall could close for the evening, but they traipsed back in just before the Apple Store opened at 7 a.m.
“It was worth the wait,” said an exhausted but happy Mr. Chan as he held the phone in his hand.
“The improved screen, it's really crisp. I've seen it in person. It's beautiful, and the improved camera, HD video recording, and it can finally multi-task,” he said.
The iPhone 4 differs from its previous incarnation, the iPhone 3GS, because it offers video calling and a high-resolution display, which the Apple website says produces a “sharper” image. It also has a 5-megapixels flash camera and HD video recording capabilities.
Despite complaints pouring in from the United States about Apple's latest gadget, many people outside the store Friday said they weren't concerned about reports that calls were being dropped when the phone was held a certain way.
“I think that is over-exaggerated,” said Chan, shrugging. “It's kind of like Toyota and that gas-pedal issue. It has been blown out of proportion. If there's anything serious at all, Apple will be on top of it.”
For the first time, consumers were able to buy an unlocked iPhone, without a contract, which means they will be able to shop around with other carriers to find the best deal.
That would have saved Dani Winters a major headache.
The 22-year-old was at the front of a long line outside the Apple Store in the Toronto Eaton Centre after waiting 19 hours since the night before. Winters was laughing and joking with staff as he eagerly awaited entry into the store.
But once inside he became furious as it appeared for a few moments that all his time spent in line had been for naught.
His service provider seemed to be having trouble connecting his iPhone 4 to the network. And so he sat, arms crossed, for more than an hour during the extended wait for his beloved new toy.
“It was just pure craziness, and kind of a little bit killed the spirit, but in the end I got my iPhone,” said a smiling Winters, as he waved the new gadget in the air, showing it off to the throngs of media waiting outside the store.
For Cameron Burgess, 13, the decision to camp out to upgrade his iPhone 3G to an iPhone 4 was more about the atmosphere.
“I like just meeting the different people. It's really cool, half of it's the phone, half of it's just the experience,” said Mr. Burgess.
The 16 gigabyte model retails at $659 before taxes and the 32 gigabyte phone is $779.
Mr. Burgess also said he wasn't worried about the iPhone’s antenna problem, a glitch that has been termed the “death grip.”
“I think a lot of the troubles are related to AT&T's bad network in the States, and I don't think the troubles will carry through to here,” he added.
Apple had promised to give away free rubber cases meant to improve reception. But customers in line were told they would not be receiving the cases, and could request them online.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has downplayed the signal problem, saying it's a common issue with all smartphones.
Earlier this month, Consumer Reports magazine did not recommend the iPhone 4 because of the reception problems.
Analysts also said Apple created a public relations headache for itself by appearing to dismiss the issue.
