An Apple store in a trendy Beijing district fails to open amid unruly crowds . Friday is the date of the introduction of the iPhone 4S in mainland China . Apple says it wo n't sell the new model in Beijing and Shanghai retail stores for now . Hundreds of devout fans -- along with scalpers -- braved subfreezing temperatures and camped out overnight , awaiting the phone 's debut near the trendy Sanlitun Village shopping mall in Beijing . The company has been criticized by Chinese officials who say that its products are too expensive, but many people have bought them anyway because they're seen as status symbols or luxury items.
An Apple store in a trendy Beijing district fails to open amid unruly crowds . Friday is the date of the introduction of the iPhone 4S in mainland China . Apple says it wo n't sell the new model in Beijing and Shanghai retail stores for now . The company has been criticized by Chinese officials who say that its products are too expensive, but many people have bought them anyway because they're seen as status symbols or luxury items.