Starting in late October the expected shipment date was November 16 and that date has stayed constant until it changed to immediate availability on November 15.

FORBES: Apple's iPhone 5 Lead Times Are Shrinking or Have Gone Away Entirely

The late quarter launch of the iPhone 5 and lower prices on older models prevented total shipment volumes from slipping to 3Q11 levels.

ENGADGET: IDC: Android claims 75 percent of smartphone shipments in Q3, 136 million handsets sold