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'Late' iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Being Delivered Early

Apple seems to be catching up on iPhone 5 pre-orders faster than they had previous estimated. We've received a number of tips that iPhone 5 pre-orders that were originally estimated to be delivered in early October are being shipped now with a delivery date of September 27th.

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Apple had originally "sold out" of their initial batch of iPhone 5 devices within the first hour of sales and went on to sell 2 million devices in the first 24 hours. iPhone 5 delivery estimates remain at 3-4 weeks out at Apple's online store.

The iPhone 5 retail launch seems to have been relatively smooth, bringing praise from analysts.

"We are positively surprised regarding the pace of the rollout, since we had expected a bigger impact from component constraints," Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes said.

Apple may announce iPhone 5 sales numbers on Monday. Last year, Apple announced 4 million iPhone 4S sales on the opening weekend.

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Top Rated Comments

176 months ago
Still no Anandtech benchmark news? (http://www.anandtech.com/show/6324/the-iphone-5-performance-preview)



The iPhone 5 Performance Preview (anandtech) (http://www.anandtech.com/show/6324/the-iphone-5-performance-preview)
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KnightWRX Avatar
176 months ago
Must be cancellations (mapping uncertainty?).

There's no way they'd be able to ramp up volumes this quickly... but cancellation would bring forward other people's delivery dates.
Oh please. This is exactly what it looks like :

- Limit initial pre-order quantities to "sell out quick" and show back log on the website. Continue taking in pre-orders to claim record numbers !
- Lines form on the scare that there's actually a risk of not getting a handset.
- After all the media hype, lines, etc.., release stock for shipping since there's no value in holding back anymore, you've had your free publicity.

People who still don't get these manufactured "shortages" are scary. Maps and scratching have nothing to do with it. Apple will announce record numbers again for this launch. They were ready with record numbers of units pre-manufactured and ready to go.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stukick Avatar
176 months ago
It's funny how when you pre-order anything, you're chances of getting screwed on launch day are 50/50.

On the other hand, if you don't pre-order, and walk into a store on launch day, you're almost guaranteed to get the product.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
176 months ago
Maybe they were late because the courier was using Apple Maps?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
176 months ago
A bunch of online pre-orders will typically be cancelled, as people successfully pick up a phone in a store on launch day rather than wait two more weeks. Others move up the queue. I think that happens on every launch. Not much to report.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
176 months ago
So demand wasn't as strong as expected?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)