‘Massive fight’ breaks out in Dubai Mall as Apple fans try to get their hands on the new iPhone 15 – while thousands more queue outside stores across the world

It is an eagerly anticipated event that sees thousands of Apple fans queue outside stores across the world to be the first to get their hands on a new iPhone.

But the official launch of the iPhone 15 descended into chaos in Dubai when a ‘massive fight’ broke out and security guards were forced to intervene.

Shocking footage shows customers shoving each other outside Apple’s flagship store in the UAE’s Dubai Mall before several people appear to fall to the ground.

Other videos capture customers running through the mall – one of the world’s largest shopping centers – and piling onto escalators amidst a backdrop of yelling.

‘A massive fight over the new iPhone 15 took place in a queue outside the Dubai Apple Store,’ one person wrote on X.

Another added: ‘The queue at Dubai Mall this morning for the #iPhone15 release is just unbelievable. What I saw last year was a joke compared to that of today.’

The chaos came as thousands of Apple superfans descended on stores across the world today, with the iPhone 15 officially put on sale.

London, Beijing, and Bangkok were among the cities heaving with crowds this morning, with many people eager to be the first to purchase the device.

Its official launch comes a week after the tech titan’s highly anticipated Wanderlust event, which saw CEO Tim Cook unveil the Apple Watch Series 9 among other devices.

Apple customers in India even set up camp last night to be first in line at stores in Mumbai and Delhi, with some waiting from as early as 3  p.m. yesterday.

One X user wrote: ‘Long queues have formed outside Apple stores in Delhi’s Select Citywalk Mall in Saket and Mumbai’s BKC as the iPhone 15 series goes on sale in India,’ one person wrote on X.

The standard range of new iPhones starts at $799/ £799 and is equipped with a new titanium frame, USB-C charging port, and new artificial intelligence features.

Albeit popular, the iPhone 15 has received mixed reviews since it was unveiled at the Wanderlust event on September 12.

While the device comes in five never-before-seen colors with an upgraded rear camera, some claim it lacks the developments they had hoped for.

These include battery life and screen size, with the iPhone 15 hosting the same 6.1-inch display and video playback capacity as the iPhone 14.

Even so, one X user claimed that a tourist in Dubai purchased a whopping 11 iPhone 15s as presents for his family.

In India, another superfan told ANI: ‘I have been here since 3 pm yesterday. I waited in line for 17 hours to get the first iPhone at India’s first Apple store.’

Hundreds also queued outside Apple’s Regent Street store this morning, with staff filmed clapping when it opened its doors at 8  a.m.

‘Long queues, cities traversed, skies crossed, and familiar faces met – all for the allure of the #iPhone15,’ one user added.

‘The journey is as much a testament to devotion as the destination.

‘In the world of tech, some tales are just… Apple-d! But it is that sensational.’

These queues also come after months of speculation surrounding the iPhone 15, with numerous dummy products and predictions flooding the internet.

Many of these correctly suggested that Apple’s new device would feature a state-of-the-art titanium design made of the same alloy used to build NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover.

Apple claims this will make the model more durable and lightweight compared to previous models.

Swapping out the mute switch for a customizable ‘action button’ was also expected – marking the first time Apple has changed this since 2007.

Switching its Lightning connector for a USB-C port was anticipated too, as Apple was reluctantly obliged to align with new EU regulations.

But ‘Name Drop’ was among some of its more surprising features, allowing users to share contact details by simply bringing two iPhone devices together.

Even so, onlookers say the iPhone 15’s physical appearance is almost the spitting image of an iPhone 14.

Both the iPhone 15 and its predecessor host 6.1-inch screens and weigh just over 170g, with a battery capacity to facilitate 20 hours of video playback.

These also host 12MP TrueDepth front cameras (f/1.9) with autofocus functions, though the iPhone 15’s rear camera has been significantly upgraded.

MailOnline has approached Apple for comment.