by 
Reports circulated last month, originally by iMore, about pre-orders for the next-generation iPhone allegedly starting immediately after the Sept. 12 media event, but MacRumors now contends pre-orders will not open until Sept. 14.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 4S began the Friday after its unveiling, so MacRumors is subsequently pointing to a similar timeframe for this event:
MacRumors is now hearing that pre-orders may not begin tomorrow following the media event and that they may instead start on Friday morning in a scenario similar to last year’s debut. We’re hearing that certain portions of Apple’s sales support team are significantly increasing their staffing levels beginning at 6:00 AM Eastern on Friday, with a major surge for the initial shift beginning at that time and a sustained level of high staffing for at least the remainder of the day.
It is unclear whether pre-orders would begin immediately at the 6:00 AM shift start or some time shortly afterward, but these staffing levels suggest that customers may have to wait until the end of this week to pre-order their new iPhones for delivery a week later.
Apple’s smartphone is then expected to release Sept. 21, as several publications also reported.
//
Related articles
Report: iPhone 5 pre-orders to begin September 12, international sales to begin early October (9to5mac.com)
Redesigned iPhone (N42) being announced next week at iPhone 4S price points (9to5mac.com)
Apple announces September 12th iPhone event: ‘It’s almost here’ (9to5mac.com)
Apple to unveil next iPhone and smaller iPad on Sept. 12, launch new iPhone Sept. 21? (9to5mac.com)
