The Apple Store in Hong Kong has initiated its required reserve and pick up system for Friday’s iPhone 5 launch and has also confirmed that it will not be offering walk-in purchases for the handset.
Unlike some of the other countries that will get the iPhone 5 on launch day, Hong Kong didn’t participate in pre-orders last week. Instead, it has held to a reservation system that it initiated with the iPhone 4S.
Apple’s reservation page reads:
Due to high demand, we are accepting a limited number of iPhone 5 reservations per day. To request an iPhone 5 reservation, please choose your store and the iPhone 5 you want. If we have an iPhone 5 reservation for you, you’ll receive a confirmation email by 9:00 p.m. tonight that includes the time when you can pick up your iPhone 5 tomorrow. A current and valid government-issued photo ID exactly matching the name and full ID number on your reservation is required for iPhone purchases.
Unlucky customers who don’t receive an email will just have to try again. Though iPhone 5 units will not be available to walk-in buyers, Apple does note that the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S will be available for walk-in purchase.
Apple has found launching devices in Hong Kong to be a tricky business, since events often attract scalpers, smugglers and professional line-waiters, many of whom come over from China, where the devices traditionally launch months later. This year’s launch should be particularly exciting since Hong Kong will, for the first time, be among the first batch of countries to get the iPhone.
The software on the new iPhone contains more support for China and Hong Kong. iOS 6, which was released on Wednesday and will come installed on the iPhone 5, adds support for both Hong Kong and mainland variants of Mandarin and Cantonese.
Apple opened its first store in Hong Kong, its most expensive ever, last fall ahead of the iPhone 4S launch. A second location is currently under construction at the Festival Walk mall.
Image credit: AFP / Getty Images
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