iPhone 5 launch events in 33 countries today

It's queue time all over again in 33 new countries across the planet including not least of all China and Taiwan, as the iPhone 5 launches officially. Lines have indeed been forming at locations throughout these many countries since early this morning or days ago (depending on where you're standing) and online reservations have made the process much less hectic in many of the main outlet areas.

Both China Unicom and China Telecom have begun offering the iPhone 5 with options galore for sizes, black or white color combinations, and WCDMA or CDMA depending on the second word in the carrier's name. You're able to buy a subsidized iPhone 5 on many carriers throughout the planet today while contract-less machines begin at ¥5,288 (approximately $850 USD) in China. NOTE: See our full iPhone 5 review if you're still on the fence for a purchase!

Meanwhile in Taiwan the unsubsidized iPhone 5 will cost you right around $750 USD (NT$21,900) and subsidized prices are available throughout the country on carriers such as Chunghwa Telecom. The photo you see of the lines in Taipei, Beijing, and more below come from Engadget China, Sina Tech, and Weibo.

If you're in one of the following countries, let us know how your iPhone 5 experience is going! We're also to be found at @SlashGear on Twitter if you'd like to contact us there – stay safe in the snow if you're near it!

Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

Additional countries getting the iPhone 5 in stores on the 21st of December include: Barbados, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Egypt, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St.Vincent & the Grenadines, Tunisia, Uganda, and Vietnam.