Long lines in front of the Apple Store in Brussels for the release of the iPhone 16: “Every year, I change and get the new model”
This Friday, the iPhone 16 finally went on sale at the Apple Store. Hundreds of people came to obtain this brand new model.
Published on 09/20/2024 at 4:08 p.m.
In front of the Apple Store located on Avenue de la Toison d’Or in Brussels, a crowd of people wait in a long queue. It’s a highly anticipated day for fans of the Apple brand: one year after the release of the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16 is finally available!
Although competing brands are enjoying some success at the moment, it is clear that the enthusiasm for Apple remains intact. Bertan, like others, waits patiently in the bright sunshine to enter the store and get his hands on the latest model. “Every year I change and get the new model. We follow fashion.” Although the young man goes to almost every in-store launch, he sometimes opts for home delivery. “Today I had time, so I came.” After 25 minutes of waiting, he will finally be able to enter the doors of the Apple Store, a temple of refined design and ergonomics.
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“Every time I go out, I come and buy the iPhone”
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In the line, which stretches several meters and goes around the store, Falou is also waiting to get his hands on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Passionate about the brand, this loyal customer is willing to stay up as long as it takes to get their new phone. Since 2008, when the first iPhone was released, Falou has only sworn by this brand. “Every time I go out, if I have the chance, I come and buy the iPhone on the first day.”
The iPhone 16 brings its share of new features, including the most notable: the Camera Control button. Placed on the right side of the device, this touch button, equipped with 3D Touch technology, allows you to open the camera in a single gesture, and take a photo with a second press. A light press gives access to the zoom settings.
We are also talking about the arrival of Dolby Vision 4K video at 120 FPS, an advancement that allows you to capture videos of unrivaled quality on iPhone, both in video mode and in slow motion. These characteristics are one of the reasons why Falou remains loyal to this brand. “I prefer iPhone to Android,” he confides.
From 969 euros to 1,479 euros
Kenneth also plans to acquire the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Already the owner of the iPhone 15 and, before that, the iPhone 12, he tries to attend every launch of the new model. At the same time, it has a wide range of Apple products. “The camera evolves with each generation, it’s important to be up to date,” he says. However, with prices varying from 969 euros for the “classic” iPhone 16 to 1,479 euros for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the purchase of such a device raises economic questions. To finance this new purchase, Kenneth found a solution: resell his old phone to his partner, which allows him to buy the very latest model. “By doing this, we still get through it.”
Unaware customers
Another customer who came to buy the latest novelty found himself stuck among dozens of other “applemaniacs”. “I didn’t know there was going to be a line. I told myself that we weren’t in the United States and that I wouldn’t have too many problems getting back.” And the man added: “If I see with the advisors that the wait exceeds thirty minutes, I will leave.”
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Some even found themselves in line without knowing that the iPhone 16 was being released that day. “That doesn’t work for me, I just wanted to get my phone repaired.” Another had to wait thirty minutes standing just to buy two Apple Watches.
