Digital Reporter
Lucia Edna P. de Guzman
At exactly midnight of December 1, certified Apple retailers all over the Metro opened its doors to the first lucky few owners of their latest smartphone, the iPhone X. Boasting an edge‑to‑edge OLED screen, facial recognition as a phone unlocking option, better resolution and a better camera than its predecessors, the iPhoneX was touted to be the it gadget at ₱64,000 on its first release.
But it takes planning, will power, and the utmost patience to stand in line for the latest trendy gadget, especially during its initial release when stocks are still limited.
The City of Dreams branch of Beyond the Box, one of the certified Apple retailers in the Philippines, made sure that falling in line for the iPhone X wouldn’t be stressful. Instead, they were given the VIP treatment that they deserve, not because they will soon own an iPhone, but because they were already in line by 8:00 a.m. for a store that opens in the afternoon, for a product that won’t be available for purchase for another sixteen hours.
According to Beyond the Box Communications and Strategy Manager Masanori Takamoto, the first 50, who received queue numbers were invited to a VIP lounge with cocktails, food and insights about the new iOS11. Like any party, there were games and prizes. “Just a small token for them for falling in line,” Takamoto said.
The first fifty iPhone X owners from Beyond the Box’s City of Dreams branch were also given a package that included the following (*hold your breath*): a Marshall Major II Bluetooth headphones, a BodyGuards Pure Screen Protector, a UAG case, [fuse]chicken Titan Loops and a MOMAX wireless charging pad. “Everything you need for your new iPhoneX is basically already there,” said Takamoto.
For Jonaz Arcamo, who was first in line that day, the wait was worth it. “The iPhone X is the latest flagship phone of iPhone, ten years in the making,” Arcamo told SparkUp. “That’s why, it’s quite a wait. I really want to play with this one.”
As for the people who fell in line after the first fifty people? “We had to tell them honestly that beyond 50 we cannot allocate units anymore,” Takamoto said. “But in compensation for those who tried to fall in line we gave them the assurance that they’ll have a unit as soon as we have stocks already.”
Will the iPhoneX live up to the hype and make its owners like VIPs? For now, while stocks are limited, the latest iPhone remains a coveted device that most people can only dream of owning.
