Early iPhone 4S Shipment Notices, Delivery Still Likely on 14th

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There have been several reports of readers getting ship notices for their early iPhone 4S pre-orders. These orders are starting to show up in UPS tracking databases with expected delivery dates ahead of the iPhone 4S launch date of October 14th.

Apple has in the past, however, coordinated with carriers to hold delivery until official product launch days, and it is likely the company will do so again for iPhone 4S. So, even with early shipment notifications, it's likely that most customers won't receive them until the 14th -- though there are occasional exceptions.

Readers are organizing in our iPhone forums to discuss their upcoming deliveries. Those who want to compare their tracking status changes can do so in these carrier specific threads: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and International. Meanwhile, if you are desperate to find your tracking number as soon as possible, one poster provides a tip that may provide you that information if your shipment has already moved to "Preparing for shipment".

The iPhone 4S has already sold out of the initial pre-order stock, so if you haven't ordered yet, your only chance of picking one up on launch day is to stand in line. Apple Retail stores will open at 8:00 a.m. on October 14th to sell the iPhone 4S on a first come, first serve basis.

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Top Rated Comments

Don Kosak Avatar
178 months ago
Next year, we'll get to say: "Siri, when is my iPhone5 arriving?"

Hmm. I wonder if it will go something like this:

You: "Siri, when is my iPhone5 arriving?"

Siri: "I heard: ~cancel my iPhone5 order~"

You: "No no Siri, ~WHEN~ is my iPhone5 arriving?"

Siri: "Confirmed. Order Cancelled. You didn't need a new phone. Don't you love me anymore?"

You: "..."
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macguy87 Avatar
178 months ago
The "one poster" is me. I got featured in a MacRumors article!! This is awesome!!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fatefulwhisper Avatar
178 months ago
Next year, we'll get to say: "Siri, when is my iPhone5 arriving?"
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ilovemyibook Avatar
178 months ago
My guy at Sprint said I should come at 8AM (special opening time for launch day) even though he'd put ours aside as they might get pinched by another salesperson for his/her clients.
Why didn't you pre-order? You're going to be mad at "your guy" come launch day and those phones arent there.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Peace Avatar
178 months ago
Will the phone work if we get it early?

No. There is an internal timer that goes off at 10 AM Cupertino time.

Silly. Of course it will work
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
striker33 Avatar
178 months ago
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)