Apple Halts In-Store Sales of iPhone 4S in China

Apple has stopped in-store sales of the iPhone 4S in Beijing and Shanghai to ensure the safety of its customers and employees, reports Reuters.

The launch of the iPhone 4S on Friday nearly caused a riot at the Beijing store after fights broke out and the SWAT team was called in.


"The demand for iPhone 4S has been incredible and our stores in China have already sold out," an Apple spokeswoman said. "Unfortunately, we were unable to open our store at Sanlitun due to the large crowd. And to ensure the safety of our customers and our employees, iPhones will not be available in our retails stores in Beijing and Shanghai for the time being," she said.

Customers will need to purchase the phone online or through China Unicom.