Over 100 customers queued inside Apple’s flagship store within the Chinese financial hub of Shanghai on Friday, waiting to choose up their iPhone 15 orders on the primary day of in-store availability.
How Apple’s latest iPhone sells in China is under close scrutiny by fans and market watchers alike, after widening curbs on iPhone use by government staff and the discharge of a high-end rival from domestic manufacturer Huawei sparked concern about demand for the device in its third-largest market.
However the strength of pre-orders on this planet’s second-largest economy, which began last Friday, has eased worries, with delivery times pushed into November and the premium iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max selling out in only one minute on Alibaba’s Tmall e-commerce site.
![People look at the newly launched iPhone 15 and other Apple products at a flagship store, on Sep. 22, 2023 in Beijing, China.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/1695020037.jpg?w=1024)
![Customers inside an Apple store test the latest Iphone 15 in Beijing, China.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/1695021638.jpg?w=1024)
Local media reported the queue on the store on Shanghai’s East Nanjing road shopping belt began forming at 5 a.m.
Amongst those on the store was social media influencer Zhang Ming, 25, who said she desired to check out the iPhone 15 after being unsuccessful in pre-ordering online.
“I at all times prefer to look (at the brand new devices). After I buy Apple products I only take a look at the colour. If I just like the color I’ll buy it,” she said.
![SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Customers wait in line at the Australian release of the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models at the Apple Store on September 22, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Apple launched its lineup of the latest iPhone 15 versions as well as other product upgrades such as the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 feauturing new design, improved performance and new materials. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images) Apple iPhone 15 And Apple Watch Series 9 Launches In Australia](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/newspress-collage-528xxb8cq-1695371454921.jpg?1695357237&w=1024&1695357237)
![Clients raced in front of an Apple Store in Paris, with the company logo on the facade, on the store's release day.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/AFP_33W33GR.jpg?w=1024)
![A woman compares two of the newly launched iPhone 15 as she and others shop at a flagship store, on Sep. 22, 2023 in Beijing, China.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/1695021610.jpg?w=1024)
The iPhone 15 features a recent titanium shell, a faster chip and improved video-game playing abilities. Apple also surprised by not raising prices, reflecting the worldwide smartphone slump.