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iPhone 5 preorders start September 14 at 12:01 a.m. PT

Going online beats standing in line -- but you'll need to burn the midnight oil to get first crack at ordering from Apple -- which hopes for a smoother preorder process than with the iPhone 4S.

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Charles_Cooper.jpg
Charles Cooper Former Executive Editor / News
Charles Cooper was an executive editor at CNET News. He has covered technology and business for more than 25 years, working at CBSNews.com, the Associated Press, Computer & Software News, Computer Shopper, PC Week, and ZDNet.
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Charles Cooper
Apple

If you're a night owl -- or a very, very early riser -- and don't want to wait on line, you can go online at 12:01 a.m. PT on September 14 to place a preorder with Apple for the iPhone 5.

Otherwise, you can do it the old-fashioned way and wait for the doors on Apple's retail stores to swing open at 8 a.m. local time on September 21.

Apple is hoping that history does not repeat itself
, after the company ran into preorder problems with the iPhone 4 and 4S. Both Apple and its carrier partners experienced glitches before customers were able to place their preorders.

CNET's full coverage of Apple's iPhone 5 event

Apple's big iPhone 5 reveal (pictures)

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  • Sprint is also making the iPhone 5 available for preorder September 14, at 12:01 a.m. PT for new and existing customers at Sprint.com/iPhone. Along with the online preorder, you can purchase the iPhone 5 in Sprint stores on September 21.
  • Verizon Wireless preorders will start at 3 a.m. ET (12 a.m. PT) on September 14 at verizonwireless.com/iphone. Or you can visit a Verizon Wireless store on September 21.
  • AT&T customers can visit att.com/iPhone to preorder on September 14, or visit an AT&T retail store on September 21. Preorders on September 14 will begin at the same time as for Verizon, Sprint, and Apple.
    • First Look
    Watch this: iPhone 5 is thinner, lighter, faster