A photo of Apple customers eagerly lining up for the new iPhone has gone viral as many question why they bother.
Taken just 30 minutes after the store opened, the image shows a long line of people waiting outside Apple’s flagship store on George Street in Sydney‘s CBD on Friday morning, eager to buy the latest iPhone 16.
‘Hadn’t realised queueing for the new iPhone was still a thing,’ said the person who shared the photo on Reddit.
‘Has there actually been anything game-changing with phones in the last eight years? What can an iPhone 16 actually do that an iPhone 8 couldn’t,’ a second added.
A third declared: ‘Almost like a religious cult.’
Another said: ‘And this is why Apple is a $3.479 trillion dollar company. There will always be cashed-up people who want the brand.
‘It is no different from medieval lords wanting the most flamboyant, colourful outfit or artisan-designed amour. Did they really need it?
‘No, it was to tell everyone else how rich they were and how poor everyone else was.’
A fourth agreed: ‘Just people really wanting to show it off at work and social media for likes. But no one cares really. Looks the same the last 10 years.’
Another said not all the Apple fans were rich, and that many would forego essentials to afford ‘that’ phone.
‘I used to have a friend who would cry poor – saying they barely have enough money to pay for rent, then the next time I see them, they have a new iPhone, bought a new TV, and a new laptop all in one shopping spree,’ they explained.
‘I can barely understand why people need a new phone that costs so bloody much and have to have it on release day.’
iPhone 16, which was revealed at an event earlier this month, is described by Apple as ‘the beginning of a new era for iPhone’.
The iPhone 16 features new AI capabilities, camera upgrades and a boost in battery life, and is available in a range of colours.
The device also has a new button that activates the camera app – a feature described as ‘incredible’ and the ‘coolest feature ever’ by fans.
‘This is the perfect time for customers to upgrade or make the switch to iPhone,’ said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing.
However, the new device does not come cheap – the standard iPhone 16 model starts at $1,599.
And the most expensive option, the iPhone 16 Pro – which has bigger battery, display and storage capacity – goes from $1,799.
iPhone 16 is powered by new A18 chips, which are designed for intensive AI-related tasks – namely Apple Intelligence, Apple’s much touted suite of AI features.
Apple Intelligence – which includes a version of smart assistant Siri integrated with ChatGPT – will arrive with iOS 18.1, which is set to become available from next month.
Everything you need to know about the new iPhone. Review by Shivali Best
Smash-proof glass
Gen Z aren’t known for being the best at looking after their devices.
In fact, a recent survey conducted by Compare and Recycle revealed that just 42 per cent of Gen Z Brits use a screen protector.
However, this shouldn’t be an issue with the iPhone 16 Plus, which features impressively strong glass.
The glass has been developed with the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, which is made by embedding ceramic nanocrystals into the glass through a high-temperature crystallization process.
Apple claims this makes the iPhone 16 Plus two times tougher than any other smartphone on the market.
Admittedly, I’ve not thrown the iPhone 16 Plus around enough to put this to the test.
However, if Apple’s claims are true, then Ceramic Shield is the best built-in smartphone screen protection you can get – ideal if you’re known for your clumsy hands!
Battery
We’ve all been there – you go to reach for your phone at the end of a busy day, only to discover it’s on the verge of dying.
But the days of having to carry a portable charger with you could be a thing of the past with the iPhone 16 Plus, which has had a huge boost in battery life.
Apple claims that the iPhone 16 Plus offers up to 22 hours video playback, up to 18 hours of streaming, and up to 80 hours of audio playback on a single charge.
During my week of testing, the battery lasted incredibly well, and was noticeably better than that on my previous iPhone 15 Pro.
What’s more, Apple’s magnetic charger, MagSafe, has been given a boost.
While the first generation MagSafe Charger only delivered 15W of power, the new charger can charge at up to 25W.
This is noticeably quicker, with my iPhone 16 Plus reaching 50 per cent battery in just 30 minutes – a gamechanger for people who often need to charge their smartphone in a rush!
Camera
As we’ve come to expect from Apple, the camera is excellent on the iPhone 16 Plus for everything from group photos, to portraits, selfies, and landscapes.
But it was the new 12MP Ultra Wide camera that impressed me the most.
As the name suggests, this allows you to snap brilliant wide-angle shots.
However, it also enables macro photography for the first time – thanks to the addition of auto-focus.
This feature was initially introduced on the iPhone 13 Pro back in 2021, but this marks the first time it’s been available on the cheaper iPhones.
Using it couldn’t be easier – I simply opened the Camera app, pointed the iPhone towards my banana, and once the device was close enough, a small flower icon appeared.
Tapping this brought the fruit into focus, revealing the intricate details on the skin.
So, is it worth upgrading?
Overall, I think the iPhone 16 Plus is an excellent option if you’re looking for a new smartphone – particularly if you want to boost your photography skills.
The bright colours are some of the most stunning I’ve seen this year, while the improved battery life and faster MagSafe charging will be ideal for people who often charge in a rush.
It’s a real shame the AI tools aren’t available just yet, but thankfully Apple reassures us that these are just around the corner.
We’ll have to wait and see if they’re all Apple has made them out to be when we (eventually) get our hands on them!
