Just checked my order, which I've been doing a couple times a day since I ordered... Status has changed from "Not yet shipped" to "Prepared for Shipment"
attached screen shot of my order (with some photoshop blur)
😕 this means? as discussed other places if it's Apple it will arrive on the 19th if you are lucky one day early, if fedex screws up. and if it's AT&T it will ship close to the 19th or that day and arrive most likely Monday or Tuesday!
Mine is the same way, it's like this because he is most likely already on a Family Plan of some kind. Texting is probably included in a family-wide plan, as is voice.
That being said, my order was placed yesterday around 5pm Central Time, and I received my email today around 3:30pm. When my email was received, my status changed to Prepared for Shipment. I don't think it really is in a box ready to go... I think it's an automated system of some kind....