iPhone 5 Demand Causes Shipping Delay

Apple's AAPL highly anticipated smartphone will arrive a little late for consumers who purchase the device online. According to USA Today, the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models will no longer arrive on September 21. Consumers who order an iPhone 5 right now will get theirs the following week. Earlier today, Benzinga reported that the first shipment sold out in just one hour. This delay is minor, but pre-orders have only just begun. Apple will still ship the new iPhone to retailers when the device is released. However, without knowing exactly how many units will arrive, it is impossible to tell if some consumers will go home empty handed on September 21. The company has not experienced an international supply shortage since the iPad 2 was released in 2011. Apple was expected to incur massive shortages when it released the third-generation iPad earlier this year. That was not the case, however, as the company's supply greatly exceeded customer demand. There have been a number of unconfirmed supply chain issues connected to the iPhone 5, but none are as prevalent as the newer and thinner display that Sharp is reportedly producing. By switching to Sharp, Apple is able to implement a touch screen that is thinner and less expensive to manufacture. It also involves a more complex manufacturing procedure, which could be the source of the supply shortage. Follow me @LouisBedigianBZ