Waiting in line for the iPhone 5

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- There was an iPhone frenzy in Connecticut and around the country.

On Friday morning, the iPhone 5 was already in the hands of happy Apple customers in Australia, Asia and Europe. Some folks in Connecticut slept out on the street while they waited to pick up their own.

• Photos: iPhone 5 hits stores

Perhaps only NASA can rival Apple for launch anticipation.

"You couldn't wait another day," News 8's Jeff Valin asked Jason Paunetto, who was first in line outside the New Haven Apple store.

"No, I can't, I need it on the first day," he said.

Paunetto got to the store about 11 p.m. Thursday night. He's an old hat when it comes to new-and-improved.

"When I camped out for the iPad I was, like, the fifth person in line, then the 4S I was the first person in line, for the 5 I'm the first person in line, so, it's nothing," he said. "It's like clockwork to me."

He was far from alone Friday morning. The line swelled to about 120 by the time doors opened at 8 a.m. Someone had to be last.

"I don't know. I just got here," said Shawn Dwyer of Guilford. "It looks probably like a couple hours, at least."

"You're okay with that," Valin asked.

"I guess so."

Now, among the iPhone 5's features it is lighter, it is thinner, it is faster, and it has a bigger screen than the iPhone 4.

"The overall performance of the phone, like the screen size and all that's definitely another thing, but, the speed," Paunetto said.

"The size of it, the looks of it," said Latoyia Madden of New Haven. "It looks beautiful!"

Madden got a call while she was speaking with Valin. When he asked if it would be the final call for her 4S, she replied, "Of course not! I'm going to make a few when I get off the phone with you because I'm sure a lot of people are going to be watching this, so I have to explain what's going on!"

"I just paid $600 and some change for this three months ago. I'm ready to pay full price," Madden continued.  

"Really? So you're okay with spending more money now," Valin inquired.

"I'm fine!"

No price too high, no upgrade too soon for the multitudes who just love them Apples.

"I keep them. I've got my 3GS, I've got my 3G, the only one I'm missing is the first one, and I'm on the hunt for that one now," Paunetto said.

Apple received 2 million orders in the first 24 hours of announcing its release date. Analysts have estimated Apple will ship as many as 10 million of the new iPhones by the end of September.