iPhone 12 preorders start today: Prices, release dates and how to buy Apple's four new phones - CNET

You can now preorder two of the new iPhone 12 models, but you'll have to wait for the iPhone 12 Mini and Pro Max.

Four new iPhone 12s, four different prices.

It's selling the four new iPhone models it introduced this week -- iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max -- at different times and even for different prices across carriers.

With so many models (here's how to tell them all apart) and staggered sale dates, this is certainly Apple's most confusing iPhone launch yet.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone Pro are the first to go on sale, with US preorders starting Friday, Oct.

But if you want the iPhone 12 Mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you'll have to wait until Nov.

iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max: Preorders begin Friday, Nov.

The iPhone 12 Mini is the smallest of the lot, with a 5.4-inch display.

Buying the new iPhone through a wireless carrier can have the added benefit of deals and promotions, but often the deals require you to switch carriers or add lines to your account. 

T-Mobile is running several different promotions for the iPhone 12 launch

Adding a line to your account and trading in an eligible phone can get you up to $850 off an iPhone 12

You can save up to $130 on the iPhone 12 when you preorder from Walmart

Target's website has placeholders for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lines, with an availability date of Oct

Best Buy's current promotion is limited to the iPhone XS and XS Max, but hopefully, when preorders are live on Friday, it'll be updated to reflect Apple's latest phones.