[lnanek2]

A new smartphone enhances your capabilities, though. They are tools. So the guy waiting for a smartphone instead of waiting to see Harry Potter is going to come away from the experience with more capabilities than he had before. New entertainment like movies just wastes your time and money.

They are also powerful status symbols, like having an expensive Rolex. Someone who is first in their circle with a new iDevice is like a minor celebrity and gains attention and status. Depending on their position that can be converted to things like enterprise sales, intimate partners, etc..

[JohnTHaller]

The people in line for an iPhone 6 have an iPhone 5s with them. Nothing life changing is occurring at all. Someone buying a smartphone for the first time isn't camping out in line at the Apple store.

There is no difference in having an iPhone on day one vs day two in terms of social status or business status. And certainly not romantic status.

[collyw]

The iPhones that people queue for are usually incremental upgrades not "capability enhancing" devices.