If you're one of the many millions of Apple fans about to order the latest iPhone 5, prepare yourself for some rather bad news. Due to reduced availability of the device on Apple's own online store, consumers who pre-order the iPhone 5 from today could face up to a 3-4 week wait before they're able to get their mits on it.

The delivery time for pre-order customers was originally slated to be 2-3 weeks prior to the purchase. Now, for the US, Canada and Australia, this delivery time has been lengthened by two more weeks. UK and Europeaan customers could still receive orders in the 2-3 week window, but only if the above trend doesn't continue - which, considering the high demand for the Apple iPhone 5 seems unlikely.

Apple stores are still advertising that they'll be selling the new iPhone 5 in-store this week Friday, but this is on a first-come-first-serve basis. So if you haven't pre-ordered one and you're keen to own one, you may face a lengthy queue this Friday (containing folk who undoubtedly will have queued overnight).