iPhone 12: Apple Store down ahead of pre-orders

Apple Online Store 12 Pre Order
Apple Online Store 12 Pre Order (Image credit: iMore)

What you need to know

  • Apple's online store is now down.
  • Pre-orders for iPhone 12 begin today.
  • You'll be able to order the iPhone 12 (6.1) and iPhone 12 Pro (6.1) from 5 am PT, 8 am ET, today.

Apple's online store has gone into its customary downtime ahead of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders, which begin in just a few hours. It is also expected Apple will release the new iPad Air 4 at the same time.

Apple's online store currently displays the following message:

The weekend's almost here. And so is pre-order.

Pre-orders will open today for two of Apple's four new iPhone models:

  • iPhone 12 - 6.1-inch
  • iPhone 12 Pro - 6.1-inch

These phones will be released next Friday, October 23. If you pre-order today, that's when you can expect to take delivery (if you're fast) or the first day you can go into store to collect your reservation or try to buy a phone. Remember, the iPhone 12 is likely to be extremely popular on its opening week, so reserving/pre-ordering is definitely recommended if you want one.

This news, of course, doesn't apply to you if you're after Apple's smallest iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, or the largest model, the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Both of these devices will not be made available to pre-order or reserve until next month.

It also seems very likely that Apple will release the new iPad Air 4 for pre-order at the same time as the first models of iPhone 12. Walmart accidentally released the iPad Air for pre-orders early yesterday.

Apple's new iPhone is the first to feature 5G, as well as Apple's all-new, all-powerful A14 processor. It comes with a new squared design and a range of new colors for both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineup.

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9