iPhone 5 preorders start September 14 at 12:01 a.m. PT

Going online beats standing in line -- but you'll need to burn the midnight oil to get first crack at ordering from Apple -- which hopes for a smoother preorder process than with the iPhone 4S.

by Charles Cooper

September 13, 2012 10:55 AM PDT Follow @coopeydoop

(Credit: Apple)

If you're a night owl -- or a very, very early riser -- and don't want to wait on line, you can go online at 12:01 a.m. PT on September 14 to place a preorder with Apple for the iPhone 5.

Otherwise, you can do it the old-fashioned way and wait for the doors on Apple's retail stores to swing open at 8 a.m. local time on September 21.

Apple is hoping that history does not repeat itself, after the company ran into preorder problems with the iPhone 4 and 4S. Both Apple and its carrier partners experienced glitches before customers were able to place their preorders.

CNET's full coverage of Apple's iPhone 5 event

Apple's big iPhone 5 reveal (pictures)

1-2 of 40

Scroll Left Scroll Right

Sprint is also making the iPhone 5 available for preorder September 14, at 12:01 a.m. PT for new and existing customers at Sprint.com/iPhone. Along with the online preorder, you can purchase the iPhone 5 in Sprint stores on September 21.

Verizon Wireless preorders will start at 3 a.m. ET (12 a.m. PT) on September 14 at verizonwireless.com/iphone. Or you can visit a Verizon Wireless store on September 21.

AT&T customers can visit att.com/iPhone to preorder on September 14, or visit an AT&T retail store on September 21. Preorders on September 14 will begin at the same time as for Verizon, Sprint, and Apple.

iPhone 5 is thinner, lighter, faster

News

Xbox One: Say goodbye to the TV remote

Microsoft wants to revamp the way we watch TV, change channels, and switch between different media with the new Xbox One. CNET's Sumi Das on how the voice and motion controls are integrated with the TV viewing experience.

Play Video