iPhone 12 pre-orders: How to buy Apple new phone
The iPhone 12 line is now available for preorder. Well, at least half of them are. With a total of four new iPhones coming in 2020 -- the most ever -- the preorder process and release date schedule is staggered. The iPhone 12 and iPhone Pro are the first to go on sale: US preorders started today, Friday, Oct. 16 at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET). As of 8:15 a.m. PT Friday, the iPhone 12 Pro orders are slipping out to late October, or the first week of November with free shipping, or a few days earlier if you pay for faster shipping.
The iPhone 12 is still marked for delivery on launch day, Friday, Oct. 23, which is also when those first two models hit stores. But if you want the iPhone 12 Mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you'll have to wait until Nov. 6 to place an order, and Nov. 13 for them to actually ship.
The other big change for 2020 is pricing: All four carriers are selling two iPhones for $30 less than if you buy a SIM-free model from Apple. With so many models (here's how to tell them all apart) and staggered sale dates, this is certainly Apple's most confusing iPhone launch yet.
Each new iPhone has 5G connectivity, a first for Apple, an OLED display and camera improvements, especially the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max.
Read more: The new iPad Air is arriving Oct. 23
The iPhone 12 and iPhone Pro are the first to go on sale, with US preorders starting Friday, Oct. 16 at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET). You'll get your order by Friday, Oct. 23. But if you want the iPhone 12 Mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you'll have to wait until Nov. 6 to place an order, and Nov. 13 for them to actually ship.
We lay out everything you need to know about buying an iPhone 12, including the full pricing options across carriers, models and configurations. And if you're switching to a new iPhone 12, make sure you go through our checklist on your current iPhone.
iPhone 12 pricing: All four models 64GB 128GB 256GB 512GB
iPhone 12 Mini (Carrier model) $699 $749 $849 N/A
iPhone 12 Mini (SIM-free from Apple) $729 $779 $879 N/A
iPhone 12 (Carrier model) $799 $849 $949 N/A
iPhone 12 (SIM-free from Apple) $829 $879 $979 N/A
iPhone 12 Pro N/A $999 $1,099 $1,299
iPhone 12 Pro Max N/A $1,099 $1,199 $1,399
When can I buy the iPhone 12?
This year, Apple is staggering the release of all the iPhone 12 models. That means the timing of preorders will be based on the model you want.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: Preorders are now available. They opened Friday, Oct. 16 at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET). Availability and sale date is Oct. 23. Although, shipping time for the iPhone 12 Pro is slipping to late October, early November.
iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max: Preorders begin Friday, Nov. 6 (no time announced yet). Availability and sale date on Nov. 13.
Unless otherwise noted below, all US carriers and retailers will begin preorders and deliveries at the same time.
