Crowds expected for new iPhone model debut today

Apple's latest-generation iPhone is expected to make a rock star entrance today, drawing crowds that quickly empty shelves at the firm's shops.

"Initial demand for the new iPhone is incredibly robust," Deutsche Bank market analysts Chris Whitmore and Joakim Mahlberg said in a note to investors.

"We anticipate another 'Apple event' with long lines, heavy store traffic and stock outs."

Apple set a single-day record for iPhone orders when advanced sales launched last week, receiving 600,000 in 24 hours.

AT&T, the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the US, said pre-order sales for the iPhone 4 were "10-times higher than the first day of pre-ordering for the iPhone 3GS last year".

AT&T suspended a troubled early ordering process because of the heavy demand.

Deutsche Bank analysts have raised their projections for iPhone 4 sales, estimating that Apple would sell 44 million this year and 55 million next year.