Rich Mainland Chinese Fly To Hong Kong To Buy iPhone 6 At $2,500 Due To Delayed Launch Of Flagship Phone In China

After the Sept 9 launch of the iPhone 6, the flagship smartphone made by Cupertino-based Apple will have simultaneous roll outs in 10 countries, including Hong Kong, on Sept 19. However, despite China being one of the largest markets for Apple's gadgets, the mainland is not included in the 10 nations.

However, some affluent Chinese from the mainland could not wait for the official launch of iPhone 6 in China that they are flying to Hong Kong to buy the device from the grey market at a minimum price of $2,500. The price of iPhone 6 in the US is $649 for the 16 GB model. $749 for the 64 GB and $849 for the 128 GB. The larger iPhone 6 Plus costs $749 for the 16 GB, $849 for the 64 GB and $949 for the 128 GB.

But the rich mainland Chinese are not complaining at the higher prices in Hong Kong because it is still considered value-for-money since a new handset could have a price tag of $4,870 in the mainland until the official launch in China.

Because of the thriving grey market in Hong Kong and China, there are long queues in Apple stores in Hong Kong during the past launches of the iPhone. Business-minded Hong Kong residents buy the iPhones by the hundreds and sell it at several times over the purchase price in the legal but grey market in China.

Ahead of the Sept 19 roll out in Hong Kong, gadget stores like those at Sin Tat Plaza in the Mongkok district, has already posters and replica models of the two iPhone 6 models on display.

Arthur Chung, operator of a phone reseller shop, said, quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald, "The demand in the mainland is bigger for the iPhone 7 compared to the iPhone 5s because there are bigger changes made to it."

Due to the huge demand for the new Apple device, Chung will order more iPhone 6s from the US to meet the 300 units pre-ordered by one Hong Kong customer.

YouTube/AFP news agency