With pro-orders for the forthcoming Apple iPhone 4 having begun on Tuesday, the scenario was no different from the one witnessed during the launches of the earlier iPhones – Apple aficionados complained that they could not get their orders through because online and phone systems at Apple and AT&T, the iPhone’s exclusive US carrier, were jammed.

According to reports by several bloggers, while queues could be seen at AT&T retail stores, the clerks had to take orders by hand because the ordering system had virtually crashed.

Meanwhile, eager buyers attempting to pre-order the new iPhone via the AT&T website fared no better than their fellow-buyers outside the stores – the online requests returned a message that there was a “system error that prevents us from completing your request.” The iPhone pre-ordering websites apparently were in long waits or probably in a state of perpetual crashing.

Furthermore, the Apple phone line for buyers also played a recorded message: “Due to extremely high call volumes, we are unable to answer your call at this time. Please call back.”

Noting that though the system glitches “totally overwhelmed” the iPhone pre-ordering system, Gartner analyst Van Baker said that the pre-order frenzy among buyers is actually good news for Apple; as it indicates that a lot of people want to buy the forthcoming iPhone 4, and will not go in for any other handset available in the market!