A Chinese retailer has started taking Apple iPhone 5 pre-orders despite the next-generation handset remaining firmly within the realms of rumour and speculation.

Although Apple has yet to officially unveil its next-gen Samsung Galaxy S3 rival, the iPhone 5 has been made available for advanced order in China with what is claimed as a mock up of the handset’s new design accompanying the photographed store signage.

Although the Chinese retailer has failed to offer any concrete details around the handset’s upcoming launch, the move marks the first time that iPhone 5 pre-orders have been opened to consumers despite an iPhone 5 release date not expected until early October following and late September first showing at the hands of Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Getting the jump on its retail rivals, the Chinese outlet has erected an iPhone 5 pre-orders advertising board with what appears to be a large scale image of the 2011 released Apple iPod Touch accompanied by a smaller image of one of the more prominent iPhone 5 mock ups that features a larger, edge-to-edge 4-inch display and a more streamlined form factor.