Chinese buyers go the extra mile for new iPhones

Buyers from the Chinese mainland, deprived of the latest iPhone launch at home, were among the first in line on Friday in Japan to grab the "6" and its new large-screen cousin as Apple Inc hit back at rivals.

A thriving secondary market was emerging hours after the first phones left stores, with the Chinese mainland having been left out of the initial global rollout.

Dealers in Hong Kong said they were prepared to offer a hefty premium.