But with Samsung things are a little different.
There are no long lines of people who have camped out for days.
What could have been a hard day for the security guard turned out to be a peaceful morning, with just four people waiting outside the store to pick up the latest device.
Just like with Apple, the customers were met with cheers from Samsung's staff, but it just didn't have the same feel as the launch of an iPhone.
Samsung Australia vice president of IT and mobile Richard Fink said he wasn't surprised by the turn out, given the company's approach to releasing a new device.
Instead of encouraging huge crowds, the company tries to get its customers to preorder the device and have it delivered.
Doing so comes with a plethora of benefits such as allowing customers to secure their handset a week before it went on sale, the inclusion of a free Gear VR headset and a $A66 voucher for Oculus content.
A model Fink said is hugely successful.
"We have seen unprecedented demand since the devices were made available for pre-order earlier this month. In fact, Australian pre-sale numbers for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ have set a new benchmark for Samsung in this country," he told news.com.au.
"Thousands of Australians have already received their devices through our pre-sale early delivery offer and the feedback so far has been incredible - we believe this highlights the demand that Australians have for a premium and beautifully crafted smartphone experience."
The phone, which news.com.au found to be highly impressive, has also been getting praise on Twitter since the release.
So why the lack of crowds if the phone has been met with praise?
It has less to do with the success of Samsung's product and more to do with Apple's cult following, according to cultural historian Erica Robles-Anderson.
During the launch of the iPhone 6S, Robles-Anderson suggested everything about Apple's store and release day was proof of its cult following.
"It's a cult. Right? It's so obviously a cult," she told Atlas Obscura.
Robles-Anderson said it all starts with Apple's flagship, which has parralels with large churches.
"The oversized doors are fantastic," she said. "There's no reason for them."
"It creates a space that emphasises your smallness when you walk in. You look at something far away, and that makes your body feel like you're entering somewhere sacred or holy."
She added that Apple has also managed to make its customers feel like they are part of the exclusive family.
"You're always seeing others and being seen by others. And the ways that any employee can serve you feels personal, but it's going on all around you, in a cacophony of like-mindedness."
