iPhone 8, 8 Plus go on sale around the world

Apple fans queue ahead of the launch of the iPhone 8 in Sydney, Australia, watched over by employees at Apple's George Street store. 

Apple employees wait for new iPhone 8 shoppers ahead of the doors opening at 8 a.m. in the company's flagship store in Sydney, Australia. 

Mazen Kourouche, right, gets his hand on the first iPhone 8 Plus (or more accurately, two of them) in Australia.

Apple fans show off their new iPhone 8 Plus handsets at Sydney's Apple Store.

Apple Store staff test out the new iPhone 8 on launch day at the company's store in Sydney. 

The 256GB iPhone 8 Plus sells for AU$1,479 in Australia (that's equivalent to roughly $1,170 or £860).

The Apple Watch Series 3, complete with Hermes band, on show in the Sydney Apple Store.

A customer gets hands on with iOS 11 at Apple's Sydney store.

Apple staff taking a group picture at its Singapore Apple Store before it officially opens.

Indian businessman Amin Ahmed Dholiya, 43, flew down from India to Singapore to get a gold iPhone 8 Plus as a wedding gift for his daughter. He was first in line, having queued since 7 p.m. last night.

Varis Sinthopruangchai, 20, an exchange student from Thailand, taking a selfie with his iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus at the Apple Store in Singapore. 

Varis Sinthopruangchai getting interviewed by local press on his purchase.

About 100 people queued outside Singapore's only Apple Store, which opened earlier this year.

As usual, Apple customers in Singapore got a warm welcome from staff as they made their way in to purchase their new iPhones.

Singapore carrier Singtel also had its own event, with the 10 earliest customers getting a warm welcome for their patronage.

The Regent Street Apple store looks amazing from the outside.

Salam bin Mohammed was first in the queue at the Apple Store on London's Regent Street.

Salam is the first to be greeted by the cheering Apple Store employees.

Spirits were high, despite the early hour.

There was a dog at the launch. This made everything even better.

It's an early start for most of the team but they seemed happy about it.

The queue outside the main Regent Street store windows was kept shorter by security staff.

The main queue was just around the corner, where it wouldn't block pedestrians.

More cheering and clapping inside.

Lots of British press were at the store to capture the moment the doors opened. 

Salam seals the deal on his new phones.

Two phones, bought and paid for. Steve looks happy.

The Regent Street store received a significant makeover last year and is now full of trees and beautiful Italian marble.

Here we are outside Apple's Soho store in Manhattan.  Yes, it used to be a post office.

What's with the lei's, guys? PR people came by and gave them out.

Matt Berger has been here since 9:30pm last night and intends to buy the iPhone 8 Plus because he "can't stand the small screen" of his iPhone SE. 

The line wraps around the building... but not very far.

I wonder if people will ever stop lining up to buy these phones first thing in the morning.

Time to make the donuts, people.

The iPhone sale day ritual wouldn't be complete without the applause for their consumers.

This guy is about to buy an Apple Watch Series 3.

A satisfied customer leaves promptly without fanfare. Soho is classy, y'all.