Apple Celebrates Launch of iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and Apple Watch Series 3

As it traditionally does on product launch days, Apple today has celebrated the launch of the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and Apple Watch Series 3 by sharing a few images of customers around the world buying and trying out the devices for the first time.

The new iPhone and Apple Watch models went on sale (or will soon go on sale) at 8 a.m. local time around the world today, and Apple posted pictures of customers purchasing the devices at Apple Stores in London, Singapore, Taipei, and Sydney.

iphone8 launch orchardroad singapore entrance

Apple Orchard Road, Singapore

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are Apple's latest smartphones, with a glass back design, inductive wireless charging, Retina HD displays, faster A11 Bionic chips, and advanced augmented reality capabilities.

Although the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus launched first in countries like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and China, a Reuters report last night referenced "a bleak turnout" for the smartphones. Fewer than 30 people were said to have lined up outside of the Sydney Apple Store on George Street, in comparison to the hundreds who typically show up for an iPhone launch. Most Apple customers are likely waiting for the iPhone X, coming November 3.

iphone8 launch taipei 2017 instore

Apple Taipei 101

Since the devices launched in other countries, the first sets of unboxing, speed test, and durability videos have been posted online. The iPhone 8 is said to be as resistant to scratches as the iPhone 7, but it emerged from a bend test with higher marks than the previous generation iPhone models.

watchs3 launch regentstreet london 2017 customer employees

Apple Regent Street, London

For the Apple Watch Series 3 Apple has made improvements to the wearable's health and fitness metrics, improving heart rate sensing and enhancing a few user interface elements in watchOS 4 to make it easier to sync to gym equipment and be warned of an elevated heart rate. Series 3 models also include faster dual-core processors and LTE connections in cellular models, letting users stream Apple Music, send texts, and more without needing their iPhone nearby.

watchs3 launch georgestreet sydney 2017 outside greyband

Apple Sydney

Apple also launched the Apple TV 4K today, which introduces the ability to view 4K HDR content on Apple's set-top box. The company confirmed yesterday that the new 4K content on iTunes is limited to streaming only, and can't be downloaded directly to the Apple TV to view offline, so only HD quality versions of films and below can be downloaded.

For more information on all of the new Apple products launching today, be sure to check out our roundups for each of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, Apple Watch Series 3, and fifth-generation Apple TV 4K.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

ck2875 Avatar
98 months ago
It's worth ordering online just to avoid giving everyone high-fives.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Strelok Avatar
98 months ago
It's worth ordering online just to avoid giving everyone high-fives.
It’s worth ordering just to avoid people.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arkitect Avatar
98 months ago
It's worth ordering online just to avoid giving everyone high-fives.
Oh yes. Definitely.
I find it really odd how buying something is seen as an achievement worthy of celebration.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NIKKG Avatar
98 months ago
Yeah, lets celebrate a 4 year old phone design. This is just sad. And the iPhone X isn't going to sell as well as the tech journalist think it is either. $1000 bucks for a phone with no touch-id and that ugly devil horns. 2017 isn't going to be a good year for Apple...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IUBall22 Avatar
98 months ago
Yawn. Wake me up when the X is available.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Radon87000 Avatar
98 months ago
I want my iPhone X. The wait is unbearable!!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)