( CNN ) -- The rush to be the first kid on the block with the latest iPhone is on . At midnight on Thursday , the new iPhone 5 became available for pre-order online through the Apple , Verizon , Sprint and AT & T sites . On Friday , major online outlets had already moved their estimated shipping dates back , indicating a large volume of orders or limited supply of iPhones ready to ship next Friday , September 21 . In the U.S. , Apple says new iPhones pre-ordered online now will ship in two to three weeks . AT & T is estimating that all versions of the iPhone 5 -- black and white ; 16GB , 32GB and 64GB -- will start shipping in 14 to 21 business days , which is the first week of October . Verizon is listing its delivery date as Friday , September 28 . As of this writing , Sprint was the only outlet still posting the September 21 shipping date , and that was only for the two larger models . The 16GB iPhone 5 's shipping date is listed as `` up to two weeks . '' Hands on with the new iPhone 5 . The shipping times began shifting back just an hour after the phones first became available , according to the MacRumors blog . Apple and other outlets are not yet sharing numbers for how many units have been pre-ordered . A Verizon spokesperson told CNN only that `` Dates are based on order volumes so customers have a realistic expectation as to when they will get their new iPhone 5 . '' An Apple spokesperson told AllThingsD that the company was `` blown away '' by the response . Eager iPhone fans who simply must get an iPhone on day-one might have better luck with one of the stores offering in-store pre-orders . Best Buy is n't taking orders for the iPhone 5 online before its Sept 21 launch , but customers can go into a Best Buy location to pre-pay for the device and return to pick it up on launch day . The advanced difficulty level -- standing up , getting dressed , leaving the house , commuting to a Best Buy -- might mean less competition for pre-order units . A Best Buy in San Francisco had between 40 and 50 people walk in and pre-order the iPhone 5 on Friday . Walmart is offering in-store pre-orders for the first time , Bloomberg reported , but it appears the retail giant is only selling the 16GB iPhone 5 , not the larger capacity versions . There 's also the often overlooked Radio Shack . Radio Shack locations are taking pre-orders in person , but the locations usually only get a small number of units on the first day . Target typically carries the iPhone , but at this time the site makes no mention of the iPhone 5 . The iPhone 4S is still listed as available . A final option is to wait in line on September 21 to buy a unit . iPhone launch days tend to draw lines of enthusiastic Apple fans to Apple stores around the country , many camping out overnight . Some entrepreneurial types offer their line-standing services on Craigslist , making as much as a few hundred dollars holding the spot for someone else .
Vendors offering iPhone 5 pre-sales online are moving back estimated shipping dates . Some stores , including Best Buy and Walmart , are offering in-store pre-sales . The iPhone starts shipping next Friday , September 21 , the same day it is available in stores .