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iPhone 5C Release Date Breakdown

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Yesterday, Apple took the stage in Cupertino and announced not one, but two iPhones. Those devices, as expected, were the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, devices that will be pushing the iPhone 5 out of the company’s iPhone lineup joining the company’s iPhone 4S on shelves. And with iPhone 5C pre-orders just around the corner, it’s now time to take a close look at the upcoming iPhone 5C release date.

After months of rumors, leaks and speculation, Apple finally took the stage and revealed new iPhones. The flagship premium device is the iPhone 5S, a smartphone that takes after the iPhone 5 with an aluminum design but features a powerful A7 processor, an upgraded 8MP camera, and some new colors including gray and gold. It will also feature a fingerprint reader that will enhance the device’s security.

The iPhone 5S will help to push the iPhone 5 out and it will be joined by another new iPhone, the iPhone 5C, a device that will be taking the place of the iPhone 4S at Apple’s $99.99 on-contract price point.

Early rumors suggested that the iPhone 5C would be a budget iPhone aimed at emerging markets like China. As it turns out, the iPhone 5C is a little cheaper than the iPhone 5S, but not much, and it will be heading to carriers across the planet including to carriers here in the United States.

The device will be coming with a 4-inch Retina Display, 8MP camera, Lightning port, and of course, Apple’s new operating system, iOS 7. It will also be coming out at the same time as the iPhone 5S as Apple delivered congruent release dates for its two iPhones.

As we pointed out with the iPhone 5S, there is far more to the iPhone 5C release date than the September 20th date itself. There is more that iPhone 5C buyers need to know about the big day and here, we breakdown the upcoming iPhone 5C release date and offer a detailed glimpse about what to expect.

iPhone 5C Release Date: Day One Carriers

AT&T

In the beginning, it wasn’t clear if the iPhone 5C would be coming to the United States. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it will be arriving in the U.S. on a host of carriers including all of the big names.

Yesterday, AT&T confirmed to us that it will be carrying the iPhone 5C, something that has since been confirmed by Apple’s website. The carrier also informed us that it would begin taking pre-orders for the iPhone 5C on September 13th ahead of a September 20th release date.

AT&T says the iPhone 5C is coming soon.

AT&T says the iPhone 5C is coming soon.

Apple will offer pre-orders on its website, we know that, but it’s unclear if buyers will be able to head to the AT&T website to pre-order. The website holds the above teaser, so we suppose that there is a chance, but at this point, it remains unclear. In the meantime, users can sign up for more information on AT&T’s website.

On the actual release date, AT&T retailers will more than likely have the iPhone 5C on hand and as we’ve pointed out, Apple Stores will indeed be open early catering to those that didn’t place a pre-order.

Sprint

We now know that Sprint will be offering both the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C come September 20th. Like the AT&T iPhone 5C, Apple will be taking reservations for the Sprint iPhone 5C on September 13th and Sprint says that it will be taking pre-orders starting on September 13th at 2AM CST or Midnight PST.

Sprint will take pre-orders starting at midnight PST.

Sprint will take pre-orders starting at midnight PST.

That’s the first exact time that we’ve seen emerge for the iPhone 5C pre-order and we imagine that Sprint will be offering up the iPhone 5C at the same time as the other carriers and Apple. What this means is that pre-orderers will need to stay up late in order to reserve an iPhone 5C for release day.

Sprint stores will also offer up the iPhone 5C on September 20th so those that are looking to buy, and don’t want to pre-order, will be able to head down there to pick one up.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile will be offering the iPhone 5C on September 20th as well and like the others, it will be offering it inside its retail stores around the country. At this point, we aren’t sure if T-Mobile will host pre-orders this Friday, but at the very least, buyers will be able to pre-order the T-Mobile iPhone 5C from Apple’s online store.

T-Mobile is offering a sign up page, but not much else.

T-Mobile is offering a sign up page, but not much else.

In the meantime, users can head to T-Mobile’s website to sign up for information about the iPhone 5C though with a release as imminent as it is, it may not be worth it.

Verizon

Like the others, Verizon will have the iPhone 5C available to consumers on September 20th. We expect it to have the device available inside its retail locations on that day for those that didn’t place a pre-order ahead of time.

Verizon offers a sign up page, but not much else.

Verizon offers a sign up page, but not much else.

Verizon’s website isn’t helpful when it comes to pre-order information but we suspect that it will go on sale at midnight just like the other carriers involved in the iPhone 5C launch.

Those that are extremely interested in this device can sign up for more information through the carrier’s website.

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular announced that it would be carrying the iPhone later on this year but it did not specify what device, or devices, it would carry. Yesterday didn’t help to clear anything up as the carrier did not join the other four major carriers on Apple’s website.

The regional carrier did, however, tell Gotta Be Mobile that it would be carrying iPhone products late on this year, hinting at the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C for sometime in the future.

One thing is for sure, it won’t have the iPhone 5C on September 20th, but we suspect that a release will likely come in the weeks after the initial iPhone 5C release.

Smart to Pre-Order

Those who are set on buying the iPhone 5C would be smart to pre-order the device as soon as it goes on sale. Apple devices typically sell out shortly after going on sale. There is no guarantee that this will happen with the iPhone 5C but it’s a possibility. Prior sell outs have pushed shipping dates out to weeks, sometimes months, so it would be wise to put in an order right around the time the device goes on sale to ensure a new smartphone in September.

Lines for the T-Mobile iPhone 5 in New York City on launch day.

Lines for the T-Mobile iPhone 5 in New York City on launch day.

Buying online is also going to be wise due to the fact that the iPhone 5S has no pre-order of its own. What this mean is that Apple Stores and carrier stores are likely going to be swamped by people looking to get the new iPhone 5S and its fingerprint reader on day one. Those looking to buy the iPhone 5C should take the bone that Apple is throwing, the bone being the pre-order. Anything, to stay away from crowded stores on release day.

There Are No Retailers, Yet

Last year, we saw retailers like RadioShack and Best Buy take pre-orders for the iPhone 5. This year, we’ve seen those same retailers remain silent about the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C. We take this to mean that they won’t be offering pre-orders and that they may not have the iPhone 5C stocked on September 20th.

The Best Buy iPhone 5 pre-order was a disaster.

The Best Buy iPhone 5 pre-order was a disaster.

At this point, carrier stores and Apple stores are the only announced locations and we wouldn’t be surprised to see it remain that way up until the September 20th release.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Manny

    09/12/2013 at 8:04 am

    I wounder y us cellular is not carries d 5s especially whn im due for a new phone on my contract

  2. Spectator

    09/13/2013 at 2:11 pm

    1st post is a scam ad and the second post looks like someone’s keyboard is broken

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