Verizon Wireless allowed existing customers to preorder the iPhone Thursday, ahead of the official launch on Feb. 10, and stopped taking orders at night. While the carrier touted a record for first-day sales, it declined to say how many were ordered.

"Overall, it was a very good day," Verizon Wireless Chief Executive Dan Mead said. "Yesterday's launch set the pace for next week when we open up sales to everyone across America."

Verizon said that on Thursday, it took more orders of iPhones than its previous blockbuster phones, including Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.'s Droid and Research in Motion Ltd.'s Storm, which also benefited from tremendous marketing and hype.