#Apple releases new iPhone 13 line as fans flock to stores

Apple’s new line of iPhones officially hit shelves Friday, bringing crowds back to stores after last year’s launch event saw muted crowds amid the pandemic.

The new smartphones were available for preorder beginning last week, after the company unveiled the line of four iPhones: the $699 iPhone 13 Mini, the $799 iPhone 13, the $999 iPhone 13 Pro and the $1,099 iPhone 13 Pro Max.

And today, they finally hit the shelves in stores around the world.

As of noon on Friday, Apple’s site said the new iPhones were still available for same-day pickup at the company’s flagship store on Fifth Ave.

Customers would need to wait until Saturday to pickup at other stores around the Big Apple, according to the company’s site.

While some stores failed to attract the massive crowds that have come to be expected on iPhone release days, the flagship location drew a massive line.

“Good to know the iPhone day line is still a thing!” user @dfbills tweeted, along with an image of the crowd. “Shame on #Apple for the 2 hour wait with a scheduled pickup. Boo!”

The new iPhones feature a stronger camera, battery and processor but an exterior design that is virtually unchanged from its predecessor, save for a smaller “notch” at the top of the screen.

Apple last week also revealed a slate of new iPads, including a redesigned iPad mini and an upgraded version of the standard iPad with a bigger screen. Both devices also have boast improved cameras and faster processing power.

The standard iPad will start at $329, while the iPad mini will go for $499 and up, the company said — but neither were available at stores in New York City on Friday, according to Apple’s website.

Fans elsewhere also flocked to stores Friday to pickup the latest gadgets, images show.

Long lines could be seen at Apple stores in London, as well as cities in Russia, China, Singapore, Australia.

Though some stores appeared to draw smaller crowds, according to social media with one in Los Angeles showing a lackluster line 20 minutes ahead of opening.

Amid lengthy shipping delays and rising supply chain costs, many retailers are trying to get customers to buy in store, which is cheaper than ordering online, executives have said in recent weeks.

When Apple made the new line of iPhones available for pre-order, some estimated deliver times slipped into late October, making the brick-and-mortar stores an important sales route for the company.