Despite China’s iPhone ban, buyers and scalpers are flocking to Apple Stores

Employees assist customers at an Apple Inc store during the first day of sale of the iPhone 15 smartphone in Beijing, China, on Friday, Sept 22, 2023. Apple's latest iPhones and watches went on sale today, a test of whether a new smartphone design and modest smartwatch changes can help return the company to growth. — Bloomberg

Chinese customers flocked to Apple stores to buy the latest iPhone 15 despite government restrictions and local competition, an encouraging sign for the world’s most valuable company in its largest overseas market.

Hundreds of people lined up at an outlet in the Wangfujing neighbourhood of Beijing, waiting for salespeople as scalpers hovered nearby. In Shanghai too, crowds packed Apple Inc’s flagship store on East Nanjing Road.