Rush to pre-order Apple iPhone 7 as shipping dates slip

Want a jet black iPhone 7 Plus? You'll have to wait a little longer

Pre-orders for Apple's new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones, launched this week, have been opened. But shipping times have already slipped, meaning that buyers will have to wait even longer before they get their hands on the new devices.

Orders opened at 8am UK time today, with the iPhone 7 in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB configurations priced at a hefty £599, £699 and £799 in the Apple Store. The iPhone 7 Plus is even more expensive at £719, £819 and £919.

However, some models of the new iPhones have already sold out while, at the time of writing, shipping times for the jet black iPhone 7 Plus, which only comes in 128GB and 256GB capacities, have slipped to November.

All other models of the iPhone 7 Plus have delivery times of "two to three weeks", although some 256GB models are down to be delivered between 27 and 29 September.

The smaller iPhone 7 also appears to be proving a hit. The jet black models are shipping in "two to three weeks", while most other versions have slipped to the end of the month.

Some are still showing as shipping on launch day, including the 128GB and 256GB gold models, and all configurations of the rose gold offering.

Other retailers and operators have also kicked off pre-orders. Carphone Warehouse offers the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus on contracts with EE, O2, Vodafone and iD, although the retailer hasn't yet announced SIM-free versions.

Prices for the iPhone 7 start at £45 per month with a £99 upfront cost on an O2 tariff with unlimited minutes and texts and 5GB of data. The iPhone 7 Plus is available for £169.99 on a £42 per month Vodafone tariff with a 3GB of data.

EE has opened pre-orders of the iPhone 7 from £49.99 on a £50.99 tariff, and the iPhone 7 Plus from £79.99 on £55.99 per month. At the time of writing, though, you'll have to join a queue on the operator's website.

O2 has the iPhone 7, which it promises will ship on 16 September, starting at £59.99 upfront on a £43 per month contract, while the iPhone 7 Plus will set you back £69.99 on a £48 tariff and won't ship for another two weeks.

Three, which promises delivery of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus on launch day, offers the iPhone 7 for £99 on a £42 contract, which comes with 4GB of data. The iPhone 7 Plus is (you guessed it) more expensive at £99 upfront on a £50 a month contract.

Finally, Vodafone has the iPhone 7 on a £53 contract with a £30 upfront cost with 20GB of data. The iPhone 7 Plus ups this to a £58 tariff and a £60 upfront cost.