Pre-order delays for iPhone 5 grow to 3-4 weeks in the US

The new iPhone 5 is a tough phone to get. We've already seen what it's like in front of Apple's brick-and-mortar stores, but there's quite the line forming at their virtual stores as well.

Pre-orders started on September 14 and hit 2 million in a day. The iPhones pre-ordered then should ship on September 21, but if you are to pre-order one now you'd be in for a long wait - the Apple Store site warns it will be 3 to 4 weeks before the latest iOS smartphone ships.

That's for the US store. A quick glance at the Canada store shows the delays there will be the same.

The situation at the UK Apple Store is a bit better. In Britain the iPhone will be dispatched in 2-3 weeks, unless you want the 16GB model in black - that will take 3-4 weeks (that's likely the most popular model).

The German store lists 2-3 week delays for all models and so does the French store. Australians who pre-order now are looking at 3-4 week wait before their new iPhone ships.

Source