But yesterday, he spent nearly 12 hours queuing up to ensure that he was the first in line when the Apple iPhone was launched for sale here at midnight last night.

Mr Pan, 27, who admits to a 'geek passion', said his initial disdain had given way to enthusiasm. Over time, he has been won over by the sleek designs and functionality of Apple products, he said.

He has already bought an iMac desktop computer and three iPod music players.

Mr Pan, who works for an American technology firm, took a half day's leave yesterday, arriving at SingTel's Comcentre building at 12.30pm to secure the front spot in the queue.

At previous product launches, such as the one for Microsoft's Windows XP software, Mr Pan narrowly missed out on the front spot in the queue.

It was a nice feeling to hit the jackpot this time, he said, although there were no special perks for doing so.

His motive for spending so long standing in line for a new gadget? It is all 'for fun...while I'm still young and have that geek passion', he said.

By 5.30pm, Mr Pan had been joined in the queue by four other iPhone fans. This had grown to 17 by 7pm, and doubled to 30-odd by 8pm. A Thai worker and a Bangladeshi worker told The Straits Times that they were queuing up for their bosses.

A SingTel spokesman said that to ensure 'a good customer experience', all collections are being made after prior appointment. It expects several thousand collections from Comcentre by today.

SingTel, Singapore's biggest mobile operator, had secured a deal to sell the Apple iPhone 3G before rivals StarHub and MobileOne (M1).

Customers must sign up for a 24-month contract to get the iPhone, and SingTel has dangled free handsets for those who sign up for its top-of-the-line $205 a month subscription plan. Both StarHub and M1 said they will also sell the device before the end of the year.