Apple: iPhone 5 orders topped 2 million in 24 hours

(AP) — Orders for the iPhone 5 topped 2 million in the first 24 hours, after Apple started taking them at 12 midnight Pacific time on Friday.

It more than double the amount of iPhone 4S orders on its first full day.

The company also says that while most preorders will be delivered on Friday, demand for the iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply, so some of the devices are scheduled for delivery in October.

The iPhone 5 has a bigger screen — 4 inches or 10.16 centimeters measured diagonally — that allows room for another row of icons and lets widescreen movies fit better. The calendar will now show five days at a time instead of just three. Previous iPhone models carried 3.5 inch or 8.89-centimeter screens.

The phone is also thinner and weighs less than previous models.

The iPhone 5 sells for $199 for the 16 gigabyte model, $299 for the 32 GB or $399 for the 64 GB model.

Apple says the iPhone 5 will be available at its 356 US stores starting Friday.

Each customer that makes a purchase at a store will be offered free personal setup service, which will help them customize their device.

The phone will be available in more than 22 countries on September 28.

Aside from Apple stores, the iPhone 5 will be available at Apple's website as well as through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, some Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart stores and certain Apple authorised resellers.

The Cupertino, California company's stock added $7 to $698.28 in morning trading after rising as high as $699.54 earlier in the session.

editorial@gleanerjm.com