Apple iPhone Frenzy to Hit Natick Mall Today

A new iPhone or Apple product is celebrated as a holiday for millions of tech lovers, so much so that each Apple release typically leads to massive lines and huge crowds at the Natick Mall (which opens at 10 a.m. today).

Both the new iPhone 5s and the 5c — the more affordable version of the smartphone — will go on sale Friday in the first major Apple release in roughly a year.

There were steady lines at the Natick Mall in 2011 when the iPhone 4S was released.

So, what's all the commotion about? Here are the differences between the two new Apple products and other things you should know about them before you stake out your spot in line Friday:

• The phones go on sale on Friday at Apple Stores, Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, Walmart and other Apple authorized re-sellers. Phone stores like AT&T and Verizon Wireless will also start selling the new iPhones – both the 5s and the more affordable 5c. Find a list of stores here.
• Two of the first noticeable things about the phones are the prices and the appearance. The 5c costs $99 or $199 while the 5s goes for $199, $299 and $399. The prices vary due to differences in memory and other features.
• The two phones look quite different. The 5c cases come in white, pink, yellow, blue and green. The 5s comes in silver, space gray and gold.
• The iPhone 5s and 5c are different phones and will likely interest different customer bases. Here’s something to help you learn the differences.
• Here’s a quick comparison of the two phones, as well as a comparison to Apple’s 4s.
• The iPhone 5s can't be pre-ordered. Customers can pre-order the 5c, but “supply constraints” have caused Apple to not allow pre-orders for the more advanced iPhone 5s. Read all about the causes of the supply problem here.
• Experts have already been playing around with the new phones prior to the launches. The new iOS7 will have a brighter look to it, with sleeker icons. Here’s a roundup of the reviews. 

What do you think about the new iPhone 5s and 5c? Are you buying a new iPhone on Friday? Are you sticking with your current iPhone or do you have a different type of smartphone? Let us know in the comments section below.