MOBILE phone firms are gearing up for a busy day tomorrow when Apple’s latest model goes on sale in Bolton.

The iPhone 7 was unveiled earlier this month and has already earned a reputation as the ‘Marmite’ of mobile phones.

Some people love it because it is light, waterproof and has a better camera than previous versions.

However, others have voiced their disapproval as it no longer has an earphone socket.

Instead, people must connect their phones through the charging socket or use new wireless earphones, called AirPods, that will be on sale separately from late October.

Critics have speculated that it would be easy to lose the AirPods as they are not secured with a wire.

However, an adaptor that enables traditional headphones to continue to plug into the iPhone will also be included in the box.

There will also be a larger version of the phone, called the iPhone 7 Plus, that will have a better camera

Shops across Bolton have been taking orders for the phones ahead of tomorrow’s sale.

A spokesman for Vodafone, which has branches in Deansgate and at the Middlebrook Retail Park, said: “Pre-orders have been going well and we are all set for the launch on Friday.

“Many of our customers snapped up special deals that expired on Monday.

“The iPhone 7 has a brighter screen, new waterproofing technology and a more advanced camera, though it doesn’t have a headphone port, so if you want to use a standard pair of headphones, you’ll need to use the bundled adapter.”

A spokesman for Carphone Warehouse, which has branches in Deansgate, at the Middlebrook Retail Park, Burnden Park and at Bolton Gate Retail Park, said: “We are gearing up for a very busy day and have been advertising iPhone 7 deals across all our UK branches throughout the week.

“Customers seem won over by the camera, the faster processor and better battery life and we have lots of monthly-payment deals on offer.”

Apple will also be launching a new version of its Apple Watch.