Apple has broken its previous iPhone launch sales records by selling over 13 million new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models just three days after launch, the company announced. The iPhone 6s sales total also includes online pre-orders that began after the new iPhones were announced on September 9.
The strong iPhone 6s sales were helped in large part because of higher pre-order numbers, and because this year’s iPhones were available at launch time in more countries, including China.
Apple’s iPhone 6s sales are expected to continue to break Apple records as the phones become available in more than 40 additional countries beginning October 9 including Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Taiwan. Apple says the new iPhones will be available in over 130 countries by the end of the year.
Apple sold 10 million new iPhones last year, and 9 million in 2013.
Since Apple’s iPhone 6s sales day launch fell on the last week of its final fiscal quarter for the year, the company will include sales through Saturday, September 26 in its 2015 fourth fiscal quarter results. Sales completed on and after Sunday, September 27 will be included later in Apple’s 2016 first fiscal quarter results.
iPhone 6s sales availability
There are a few things that set the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus apart from last year’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models, including a faster processor, 3D Touch, a higher-res 12 MP camera, 4K video recording, and up to 128GB of storage. For more details, see our quick comparison of the new iPhones vs last year’s.
Apple says that most Apple stores now have the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus in stock for walk-in customers, but it’s a good idea to first reserve one from the store via Apple’s website before you go pick it up. In the US, the new iPhones are also available from all major carriers and from big-box retailers including Best Buy, Target and Walmart.
All Apple stores are offering new phone customers free “personal setup” service, in which an employee will help you customize your phone, set up email, and explain new apps. Apple is also going the extra mile to promote the new iPhones and iOS 9 through free workshops at all Apple retail stores worldwide. With these services such no-brainers for marketing and customer service, you have to wonder why other phone makers haven’t yet offered them.
In the US, Apple this year is also introducing its yearly iPhone Upgrade Program, which lets you choose a carrier and get an unlocked iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus and then upgrade each year to get a new iPhone with AppleCare+ after trading in your “old” iPhone. Monthly payments on the plan start at $32 for the iPhone 6s and $37 for the 6s Plus. You can only get the upgrade program from Apple stores and authorized resellers. TechCrunch has more details on the program.
Beginning Friday, October 9, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will officially launch in more than 40 more countries and territories: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Taiwan.
On October 10, you can also get the new iPhones in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates; and on Friday, October 16, the new iPhones will become officially available in India, Malaysia and Turkey.
Apple expects the new iPhones will be available in over 130 countries by the end of the year.
