Small lines are forming outside Apple stores in the U.S. ahead of the release of the hotly anticipated iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 has won rave reviews from tech bloggers and other reviewers who were given the faster, slimmer and lighter smartphone ahead of its release to customers later this week, with CNET describing it as "flat out lovely."

In Chicago, some enthusiasts have been waiting in line since Tuesday, braving cold temperatures.

Meanwhile in New York, a small line formed outside the Apple store on 5th Avenue. While there are a few people who are eager to be the first to own the iPhone 5, most in line are there to hawk their iPhone apps or accessories before sales begin on Friday.

The new connector to link the iPhone to docking stations got the thumbs down because it renders existing speakers and other accessories obsolete, but the phone itself wowed reviewers.

Buyers have embraced the new iPhone too, buying 2 million in the first 24 hours of presales in the fastest iPhone launch ever. Apple's U.S. online store has imposed a limit of two phones per customer, with projected delivery dates pushed out to 3-4 weeks.

Apple stock hit an all-time high of $703.50 (USD) on Wednesday (September 19), ahead of the phone's official availability on Friday, before easing back to $701.03 (USD), down 0.1 percent.