SINGAPORE - Crowds formed in front of the Apple Store on Orchard Road on Thursday night (Sept 21) to queue for the anticipated 8am launch of the iPhone 8.

Those hopeful of buying the phones, which are limited to two per person, were given numbered wristbands that would allow them to leave the queue and return within an hour to retain their place.

By 11pm, when those with wristbands were ushered into the barricades set up outside the store, about 50 people had gathered.

Mr Amin Ahmed Dholiya, 43, was first in the queue, having arrived at the store at around 7pm.

He said he flew in from India specially to buy an iPhone 8 Plus for his daughter as a wedding gift.

"I will buy two, one for my other daughter. This is my first time queuing overnight for something - I am feeling good now but it will be hard to stand all night," said the businessman, who will be returning home on Friday (Sept 22) night.

This is the first major product launch since Singapore's first Apple store opened along Orchard Road in May.

The iPhone 8 retails for $1,148 (64GB) and $1,388 (256GB), while the iPhone 8 Plus retails for $1,308 (64GB) and $1,548 (256GB).