How to Get Your iPhone 5s or 5c on Launch Day

Apple published a press release early Tuesday describing how customers can pick up a new iPhone 5c or 5s this Friday, September 20. Here are the details:

The iPhone 5s will be available to order online via the Apple Online Store starting at 12:01 a.m. PDT (3:01 a.m. EDT). Although the company’s press release doesn’t mention it, we expect Apple’s mobile partners, such as Verizon and AT&T, to offer the phone for sale at the same time.

Apple’s retail locations in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom will then open at 8:00 a.m. local time for in-store sales.

The iPhone 5c has been available for online pre-orders since September 13, although certain colors and capacities have by now sold out. It is unknown if Apple has reserved stock in every configuration for its retail locations, but at least some models will be available at Apple Retail Stores alongside the iPhone 5s.

While the iPhone 5c is expected to be generally available, and has held up relatively well to pre-orders, the flagship iPhone 5s will likely be in short supply, meaning that those not in line before Friday may not receive the color and capacity they desire, if any inventory is left at all. It may be several months before Apple’s suppliers can meet production demands so those greatly interested in getting a unit on day one should grab a sleeping bag and head to the lines at their local Apple Store soon.

The iPhone 5c will be available in 16 and 32 GB capacities for $99 and $199, respectively, on a two-year mobile contract while the iPhone 5s comes in 16, 32, and 64 GB varieties for $199, $299, and $399, respectively, also with a two-year contract. Those interested in the cheapest option can still pick up the 2-year-old iPhone 4S for free with a new two-year agreement.