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Apple announces record 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus sales in opening weekend

iphone6

Apple has today announced that it sold 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus units in the first three days of sales. This includes the 4 million units sold in the first 24 hours of preorder sales. Apple’s newest iPhones have consistently been out of stock across the world, particularly the iPhone 6 Plus which is believed to have faced production issues, limiting the number of available devices for sale.

For comparison, Apple reported 9 million iPhone 5s and 5c sales in the first three days. This means the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus set a new record by over a million units. Apple is unlikely to give any more color regarding iPhone sales performance until its quarterly earnings call in October. As usual, Apple has opted to not share the breakdown of sales between the two new devices.

With limited stock across the board, iPhone momentum is certainly strong. Currently, all iPhone 6 Plus models ship within 3 – 4 weeks on Apple’s Online Store. The iPhone 6 has similar availability issues, although they are less severe. People looking for iPhones sooner should check brick-and-mortar stores, and take advantage of Apple’s online pickup options, as new stock comes in daily.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said the results exceeded Apple’s expectations, in a statement.

“Sales for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus exceeded our expectations for the launch weekend, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We would like to thank all of our customers for making this our best launch ever, shattering all previous sell-through records by a large margin. While our team managed the manufacturing ramp better than ever before, we could have sold many more iPhones with greater supply and we are working hard to fill orders as quickly as possible.”

Apple opens up the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus to more than 20 countries on the 26th September. It is important to note that last year’s opening weekend sales for the iPhone 5s and 5c included China, a key region which inflated total sales. Details on when the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will be available in China are still unknown as regulatory proceedings are ongoing.

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Comments

    • iphone6splus - 9 years ago

      Do they take into account the people that preordered iPhone 6 Plus and returned or will return it for a 6.

      • i have iphone 6 plus 64gb gray and no chance of returning!!!!

      • dennyc69 - 9 years ago

        Same here 6 Plus 64 on the way, hoping it’s not 3-4 weeks

  1. rogifan - 9 years ago

    How many countries were included in launch weekend this year as compared to last year? We know China wasn’t. Any others?

    • not as many countries as last year. China was included last year. If China had the 6 it would have been over 14 million.

    • philboogie - 9 years ago

      5s / 5c:

      September 20, 2013
      United States
      United Kingdom
      Canada
      China
      France
      Germany
      Australia
      Japan
      Hong Kong
      Singapore

      October 25, 2013
      Austria
      Belgium
      Bulgaria
      Croatia
      Czech Republic
      Denmark
      Estonia
      Finland
      French West Indies
      Greece
      Hungary
      Ireland
      Italy
      Latvia
      Liechtenstein
      Lithuania
      Luxembourg
      Macau
      Malta
      Netherlands
      New Zealand
      Norway
      Poland
      Portugal
      Reunion Island
      Romania
      Russia
      Slovakia
      Slovenia
      South Korea
      Spain
      Sweden
      Switzerland
      Taiwan
      Thailand

      November 1, 2013
      Bahrain
      Colombia
      El Salvador
      Guam
      Guatemala
      India
      Macedonia
      Malaysia
      Mexico
      Moldova
      Montenegro
      Saudi Arabia
      Turkey

      November 15, 2013
      Peru
      Philippines
      South Africa
      Vietnam

      November 22, 2013
      Brazil

      January 26, 2014
      Indonesia

      6 / 6+
      September 19, 2014:
      United States
      United Kingdom
      Canada
      France
      Germany
      Australia
      Japan
      Hong Kong
      Singapore
      Puerto Rico

      September 26, 2014:
      Austria
      Belgium
      Denmark
      Finland
      Ireland
      Isle of Man
      Italy
      Liechtenstein
      Luxembourg
      Netherlands
      New Zealand
      Norway
      Portugal
      Qatar
      Russia
      Saudi Arabia
      Spain
      Sweden
      Switzerland
      Taiwan
      Turkey
      United Arab Emirates

      (totalling 114 by the end of the year)

    • philboogie - 9 years ago

      Too quick with my copy/paste and not respond to China: that’s incorrect; China was included last year but not this year. Still unknown, due to regulatory proceedings, as the article states.

  2. tvonstieglitz - 9 years ago

    Did the 5s and 5c opening weekend sales of 9 million include Pre-Orders like the 6?

  3. bloodymerzkizzoid - 9 years ago

    Wow! i’m waiting for another Shamesung attack ad for this. LOL

  4. Rony Canales - 9 years ago

    Apple Is Doomed!!!!!

  5. Drew (@gettysburg11s) - 9 years ago

    Not surprising. I’ve been using my iPhone 6 for a few days, and in terms of design, its way ahead of Android phones (with the notable exception of the HTC One M8). Also, people seem to forget that most 4.7 inch Android phones have 720p displays, not 1080p. So, Apple is actually a little better in that dept. The 5.5 inch iPhone actually matches up quite nicely with the best large screen Android phones out there, like the LG G3, and Samsung Galaxy S5. As for the OS, what does Android have that iPhone doesn’t, now that iOS 8 is out?

    Its hard to come up with anything there.

    • vandiced - 9 years ago

      I can’t add ringtones from the Web? I have to sync with iTunes. Can’t add music from say amazon without syncing with iTunes? Wouldn’t trade iOS for Android but Apple could open it up a bit more. I actually convinced my friend who has always used android phones to switch to I pulled in its iOS. And One of the first thing he says is “how do I add a ring tonight found online?” My answer was “you can’t you have to sync with iTunes”. His response was “iPhone is dumb”

      • Yep, totally agree with your statement. I know Apple wants to sell through their echo system but having to sync with iTunes for music and tones from other sources is nuts but I don’t think Apple is ever going to change that.

        iCloud Drive might be able to provide an opportunity if Apple ever lets you save files from Safari to iCloud Drive.

  6. Shamesung should now be “creating” something with rounded edges.

  7. chrisl84 - 9 years ago

    Really wish Apple would sell the Unlocked models from their site already. But they will likely hold off until November.

    • What country? The “T-Mobile” version in the US is unlocked. In Canada only the unlocked version is listed.

      • chrisl84 - 9 years ago

        Really? My local ATT store said they would not be able to activate the Tmobile model for me. (USA)

    • shareef777 - 9 years ago

      Sorry, but you were mis-informed. I pre-ordered the T-Mobile 6+ from Apple and all I had to do was pop in my ATT SIM card and I was good to go. You don’t even have to tell ATT anything.

    • The T-Mobile versions are unlocked. I bought the T-Mobile versions and dropped my ATT sim in without issues both for the 5s and 6.

  8. Matthew Hall - 9 years ago

    Wonder how many of there 10 million make it to the Chinese black market…

    The 128GB iPhone 6+ is going for over $2500 right now in China.

  9. Had the supply not been so constrained I’m sure they would have sold a lot more than 10 million units. The 6 plus sold out at a number of local Apple Stores within 4 hours of opening on Friday.

  10. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    Big numbers. Well deserved.

  11. al0963 - 9 years ago

    If China wouldve been included OMG!

    • Edison Wrzosek - 9 years ago

      I know, I bet it would’ve been at least 15 million or more, if the manufacturing capacity is there… Either way, GO !

      I’m sure Wall Scum will find a way to spin these figures negatively and short the stock, yet again .

  12. Schwarz Valerie - 9 years ago

    I bouth already an iPhone 6 and i must admint that is working perfect , no problems , moving smoothly , and the price is quite acceptable on http://mobiles-world.com/ . Delivery arrived in 5 days , it took some time but i must say BIG THANKS to their team who always helped me with any questions i had about my order !

  13. Ramesh Yadava - 9 years ago

    I am lucky to have iPhone 6 plus. I pre-order on line within the first hours of opening. I am very much excited to have the phone in my hand. Gladly though, I am playing around with the cover, which came earlier. LOL!

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Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.