'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.

preorders
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.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...

Top Rated Comments

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

MacRumors content image

The iPhone 5 Performance Preview (anandtech) (http://www.anandtech.com/show/6324/the-iphone-5-performance-preview)
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KnightWRX Avatar
169 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
169 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)
malcolmffc Avatar
169 months ago
Maybe they were late because the courier was using Apple Maps?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foobarbaz Avatar
169 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)
CDutch Avatar
169 months ago
So demand wasn't as strong as expected?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)