The much-hyped 3G phone - which boasts a music and video player, and faster Web-browsing capability - is an upgrade of the model that went on sale last year in the United States and several other nations.

Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand were the Asia-Pacific locations getting the new phone, with festivities shifting to Europe as the global day and 22-nation launch progresses.

A 22-year-old student in New Zealand became the first person to buy it.

'I'm going to put this on charge, have a play around with it and have a nice long sleep,' said Mr Jonny Gladwell, who queued in freezing temperatures for around 60 hours before he bought a set a minute past midnight.

More than 1,000 people, many waiting through the night, besieged a store in downtown Tokyo as the iPhone went on sale for the first time in Japan.

Some people began camping out at the store days before the launch to be the first to buy the device.

'I have three kids, but I pleaded with my husband to let me come out for this,' said Web designer Shiho Hishida, 33, who trekked out from far-flung Chiba.

The 8GB version of the phone is selling in Japan for 23,040 yen (S$293), while the 16GB model costs 34,560 yen.

In Hong Kong, guards with shotguns stood guard over 500 iPhones.

Designer Ho Kak Yin, 31, wearing a T-shirt that said, 'Jealous?' was the first in a queue of about 100 inside a shopping mall.

'I'm very excited. It's very amazing,' he said, after lining up for two hours ahead of the kickoff.

Dealers and buyers said it is only a matter of time - maybe as little as a few days - before the popular device hits the region's thriving underground marketplace.

Ads pitching 'unlocked' iPhones - hacked to work on other carriers' networks - were everywhere at a Hong Kong shopping mall.

University student Candice Lam, 20, was among those considering a grey-market purchase to avoid signing up for a contract with Apple's local provider, Hutchison Telecom.

'I already have a contract with one operator. I don't want to sign another just for a phone,' she said.

Demand for the new device was also running high in mainland China, even though Apple does not sell the iPhone there.

Some dealers said unlocked iPhones should fetch about 5,000 yuan (S$995) once they are available.

Online auction sites were already offering the device - for the right price. Sellers on the popular taobao.com site were asking 9,359 yuan for the 16GB version.

Not that Apple isn't likely keeping watch over the situation. Last year, the company threatened to take legal action against Singapore retailers selling unlocked phones.

Apple fans there will be in the next lot of 48 countries to get it before the year's end. Only buyers who sign up for a SingTel subscription can buy the phone, although it can be used on any mobile network.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ASSOCIATED PRESS, REUTERS

IPHONE COMING? ICLONES MAY KEEP RINGING UP THE SALES, SINGAPORE