iPhone 5 roll-out draws big crowds worldwide

NEW YORK (AFP) - Apple fans queued in Asia, Europe and North America on Friday for the new iPhone 5, which appeared set to break sales records despite lukewarm reviews and complaints about its mapping system.

The crowds of eager buyers looked set to make the latest iPhone a huge commercial success for the trend-setting US tech giant. Some analysts say Apple may sell 10 million in just the first days of the launch.

"I've been waiting for eight days, I'm so happy right now," said Ms Keenen Thompson, one of the first among several hundred people outside the Apple store on New York's Fifth Avenue.

First in line at Montreal's Apple store was Mr Jonathan Moreau, 28, who said he would replace his iPhone 4S "which I don't use for work, but just for me."