Phone Stuck on Verification Code

Ugh - What has Apple become?!? I have a brand new iPhone 12 Pro - just bought it hours ago. I started it up, and it ask for a verification code. I plug the correct code in (from an alert on my laptop), and it just hangs...

YES, I've restarted.... YES, I've tried other Wifi networks.

Did Apple sell me a $1k brick?!? If I have to go back to an Apple store, I should be compensated for my time and gas!