Apple’s first gold-colour iPhone sold out immediately in Hong Kong and mainland China, according to reports and online buyers desperate to snap up the new status symbol.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 5S — also available in silver and “space grey” — launched at 6:00 am Tuesday in both Hong Kong and mainland China.

“Right after it started, the champagne gold model was sold out,” Phoenix TV — a Hong Kong-based broadcaster with most of its audience living on the mainland — said on its website.

Although Hong Kong resellers say demand is down for the new 5S and 5C models because they are also available on the mainland — the first simultaneous launch to both markets — one dealer told AFP that the gold phones could still resell at a profit.

Apple’s Hong Kong website on Wednesday took down the link to the 5S pre-order page, saying reservations would resume on September 21.