As expected, Apple’s new iPhone 5 is now available for pre-order.
Apple unveiled iPhone 5 at the media event on Wednesday. iPhone 5 is 18% thinner and 20% lighter than iPhone 4S and comes packed with new features and improvements such as a taller 4-inch display, faster A6 chip, support for faster 4G LTE networks, improved battery life, FaceTime HD camera and more.
iPhone 5 is available for pre-order on AT&T and Verizon’s website. Pre-orders will also be available shortly on Apple’s and Sprint’s website.
It will also be available for pre-order on Apple’s Online store in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK.
The iPhone 5 comes in 3 different storage capacities 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, priced at $199, $299 and $399 respectively with a two-year contract. If you are presently in a contract with your carrier, Apple provides this online tool to check your iPhone 5 upgrade eligibility.
You will also be able to pickup an iPhone 5 from Apple and your carrier’s retail store next Friday, September 21st.
Update 1:
Apple’s Online store is not yet up, but you can pre-order your iPhone 5 using the Apple Store app (iTunes link).
Update 2:
iPhone 5 is now available on Apple’s online store as well.
Update 3:
It looks like customers outside US are having problems pre-ordering iPhone 5. Customers who called Apple have been told that they’re updating their website and it will be available shortly, but no definite time frame has been provided. We’ll keep you posted.
Update 4:
It looks like Sprint is having problem. Sprint’s website currently says pre-order coming soon.
Update 5:
Apple appears to be having difficulties connecting to carrier servers to verify customer information like last year. It is issuing issuing reservation confirmations in some cases. Apple Store app (iTunes link) seems to be the best option currently, but you can’t use it if you want to change carriers.
Update 6:
iPhone 5 pre-order problems:
We’ve just received a tip from our reader in Singapore that he hasn’t been able to pre-order iPhone 5 on Apple’s online store as it says iPhone 5 (all models) is currently unavailable. Thanks Lee!
Please let us know if you’re facing this problem in your country.
Update 7:
Lee called Apple and has been told that Apple is aware of the problem and currently working to fix it, but didn’t provide any ETAs, expect for saying it will be fixed at the end of the day. The only option seems to be hit refresh as it looks like users in Singapore can’t use the Apple Store app. Thanks Lee again!
Update 8:
Similar issues being reported in Hong Kong. Thanks Anon!
Update 9:
iPhone 5 shipping estimates for new pre-orders has slipped to two weeks on Apple’s website.
Update 10:
Here’s a screenshot of the issue that readers in Singapore and Hong Kong are reporting. It says iPhone 5 (all models) are currently unavailable for shipping.
Update 11:
It looks like the issue has been resolved in Singapore. Thanks Lee for the tip!
Update 12:
Users are again reporting that Apple Store Singapore is again saying iPhone 5s (all models) are unavailable, after briefly allowing some users to pre-order it.
Update 13:
Users are reporting that they’re being told that Apple sold out its stock for the launch day delivery in Singapore in just one hour (6pm – 7pm local time). However, it is not clear why Apple is not accepting pre-orders for future delivery dates.
Let us know, if you’ve managed to successfully pre-order your iPhone 5.
