Demand must be high because we're having trouble accessing the pre-order page, but keep checking in as supply will only shrink as the official launch date of April 12 inches closer.
T-Mobile drops cell phone contracts
In addition to announcing the release of the iPhone 5 on their network, T-Mobile presented their new Un-Carrier plan.
The plan will eliminate cell phone contracts and pricing starts at $50 per month with the Simple Choice plans.
'Customers don't need another AT&T'
During T-Mobile's press conference in New York, CEO John Legere outlined the new look, feel and services of the carrier and touted how it's much different from its competitors.
"We're about changing this business, and it's not self-serving. It's serving customers," Legere said during the event. "Customers don't need another AT&T."
Legere and team 'un-leash' on competitors
Legere and team T-Mobile are really piling on their competitors, with their new "Un-leashed" ad campaign.
He and his Chief Marketing Officer, Mike Sievert, continually compared the big carriers - specifically AT&T - to "villians" and called for an end to the big "B.S." when it comes to contracts.
Legere also called the wireless industry "broken" that gives "no rewards for loyalty."
So who really has the cheaper plan?
The fourth-place U.S. carrier will start selling Apple's iPhone on April 12 for a $99 down payment and $20 each month for 24 months.
That works out to be $579 for the iPhone 5 during the two-year no contract period, as long as you are a "qualified buyer" who passes a credit check.
But how do activation fees and texting factor affect the price?
See who truly has the cheaper plan here
Here's all the news and rumors we found leading up to the announcement of the T-Mobile iPhone 5.
When Apple released the iPhone 5 in September 2012, every major U.S. wireless carrier got the device - and a major increase in sales - except one, T-Mobile.
Apple conspicuously left the fourth largest U.S. carrier off its list of iPhone 5 recipients, leaving many consumers wondering why T-Mobile didn't get Cupertino's latest smartphone.
In fact, it's been nearly six months since the iPhone's latest release and the T-Mobile iPhone 5 has yet to appear. But, T-Mobile execs have mentioned that an iPhone 5 will show up soon...ish.
Network watchdogs see 4G LTE testing in major markets
You've got to hand it to T-Mobile - it's certainly seems to be pushing its efforts into overdrive to prepare for the iPhone and other high-end, 4G LTE-capable phones.
Network monitoring group OpenSignal recently detected nine different cities where T-Mobile looks like it's testing its LTE network. Those include Seattle, New York, San Francisco, Denver, New Orleans and the San Jose/Bay Area, in addition to Las Vegas and Kansas City, where T-Mobile has publicly announced testing was taking place.
OpenSignal reported picking up the Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4, so no iPhone, but perhaps testing for the iOS phone is already complete?
Sneak peak at 'UnCarrier' price plans
We've said it before and we'll say it again - T-Mobile's plans for the iPhone 5 are intimately tied to its rebranding as the ultimate "UnCarrier." It wants to offer high-end devices at unsubsidized prices, giving customers not just freedom of choice but freedom from contracts and hidden fees as well.
An internal memo leaked in mid-March points to some potential pricing structures for T-Mo's new plans. Starting at $60/month for 500MB of high-speed data, customers can add on at 2GB increments all the way up to an extra 12GB.
Customers who pick up the iPhone 5 will have their pick of plans, which while not earth shatteringly cheap are at least up front in what you get for how much.
Event planned for March 26
Well, well, well, what do we have here? An NYC event scheduled for Tuesday, March 26? What could T-Mobile have up its sleeves?
While we don't fully expect T-Mobile to reveal specific plans for the iPhone 5 (though we wouldn't put it past the No. 4 carrier to take advantage of the public stage) we are anticipating news on the company's "UnCarrier" ambitions.
