iPhone 7 launches around the world

The first Australian buyers of the iPhone 7 just outside Apple's flagship Sydney store.

Buyers pose in front of Sydney's media toting their new handsets.

A customer queues in the drizzle in Sydney.

The first person in line in Singapore is Wellson Lee, 38, an IT architect who popped by as early as 5.30 a.m. Lee, who did not expect to be first, said that he came early due to the morning rain and "wanted to beat the traffic, but did not expect to beat everyone else."

Lee, who's upgrading from the iPhone 6S, will be getting a matte black 256GB iPhone 7 for himself as well as another silver iPhone. And as to why he isn't getting the iPhone 7 Plus with its dual-camera setup, Lee said he wasn't too interested in the camera, and preferred the smaller 7.

In Singapore, iPhone launches are usually organized by the local carriers. As Apple does not yet have a retail store (though one will open soon), iPhone fans will typically get their phones from one of the three local carriers, such as SingTel here.

Unlike in other countries, there's no need to queue days ahead, interested customers book an appointment slot and turn up to get a phone. Of course, if you come really early in your time slot, you'll get your phone first, as these early birds prove.

Apart from local carriers, iPhone buyers can also pop by premium resellers to get their hands on Apple's new phone. Stocks are limited though, and this store, at Singapore's Orchard Road shopping belt, has already run out of stock for the iPhone 7 Plus.

Dreary scenes in London's Covent Garden, where the fast-moving queue was shorter than in years past.

Holly Howard's iPhone 6 flew out of her hand and smashed on the day the iPhone 7 was announced. She took it as a sign that it was the right moment to upgrade.

The best bit of unboxing a new phone has to be that moment when you peel back the plastic coating. So satisfying.

Many people were swinging by to pick up their new phones on the way to work.

Kenneth Leung queued for 8 hours to buy an iPhone 6. This year he reserved his iPhone 7 online and waited just 10 minutes in line.

Some keen beans were also picking up the Apple Watch Series 2, which is the only newly announced device available to walk-in customers in the UK on launch day.

Apple knows how to throw a party: bottled water and bananas were distributed among the waiting crowd.

In New York, a line has formed outside the flagship Apple Store on Fifth Avenue affectionately known as "the Cube."

Apple staff are gathered outside before the doors open.

The media is here as usual, interviewing the first people in line. First here was Jaime Gonzalez of Queens, who waited for 22 days.

The Apple staff get pumped to clap and shout as customers are let into the store.

Finally 8 a.m. hits and Jaime and friends are cheered on as the doors open.

A good time was had by all. It must feel good finally moving after all that waiting.

Perhaps this fellow was so overcome he tripped and fell?

Not to worry, he's OK. More than OK. He's about to get an iPhone 7.

Inside the store, crowds huddle around the phone displays.

Apple staff are ready to deliver your phone if you preordered.

Once you've descended this grand glass staircase you'd think you're done with lines...

But for those who did not preorder, there's another line waiting for them.

Jaime was the first to emerge victorious from the store here in New York.

The media, naturally, wants to get the shot.

Employees cheer as the doors open on the Union Square Apple Store in San Francisco as iPhone 7 goes on sale Friday morning.

Kaleigh Starr, in line at the San Francisco Apple Store on Union Square, was buying two iPhone 7's -- one for herself, and one to surprise her mother with.

Just as the doors opened at the Apple Square, a billboard above Union Square was being changed to an iPhone 7 ad.

Tod Barnett, 29, who is a freelance graphic designer, arrived at 3 a.m. to purchase a black iPhone 7 Plus, 256GB, didn't know before he arrived that that particular phone was sold out.

Customers flooded the Apple Store in San Francisco to check out the new iPhone 7.

Apple employees begin to cheer from inside the Union Square Apple Store as iPhone 7 goes on sale.

Trying out the two new camera lenses on iPhone 7 Plus.

Justin Harris, 19, first in line at the Union Square Apple Store in San Francisco, has been here since Friday September 9th.

The open air Apple Store on Union Square in San Francisco as iPhone 7 goes on sale.

Lou Kosak, 32, far right, who was the first person in the reservation line at San Francisco's Union Square Apple Store. He arrived in line at 6:50 a.m. for his 8 a.m. reservation to pick up his jet black 128 GB iPhone 7.

The pre-order line outside San Francisco's Union Square Apple Store.

Lou Kosak, 32, who was the first person in the reservation line at San Francisco's Union Square Apple Store. He arrived in line at 6:50 a.m. for his 8 a.m. reservation to pick up his jet black 128 GB iPhone 7.

The open air Apple Store on Union Square in San Francisco as iPhone 7 goes on sale.

The unique black box is unique to the jet black iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.