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Apple says it is ‘on pace’ to beat 10 million opening-weekend record with iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

In a statement to CNBC, Apple says it is on pace to beat last year’s iPhone record with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus for opening weekend sales. This means Apple should exceed the 10 million unit record it set last year with the iPhone 6. Apple says that online demand for the larger iPhone 6s Plus is ‘exceptionally strong’ with the initial stock of units sold out globally.

“Customer response to iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus has been extremely positive and preorders this weekend were very strong around the world,” the company said in a statement. “We are on pace to beat last year’s 10 million unit first-weekend record when the new iPhones go on sale September 25.”

In addition, Apple says it will have more iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus units available at retail when the phones launch so don’t fear if you missed out during the preorder rush. The China Apple Online Store has actually sold out of all iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models yesterday. It is worth pointing out that China was not included in the initial rollout last year. In general, it seems like sales have been more heavily skewed towards the larger 5.5 inch model.

Last year, Apple sold 4 million iPhone 6 devices in 24 hours of preorders with the total hitting 10 million in the first three days of availability. Apple has not announced 24 hour data for this launch but clearly seems confident in the iPhone debut, officially starting September 25th.

Analysts at BTIG Research believe Apple can sell 80 million phones in the December quarter, compared with 74 million a year ago. They believe that 3D Touch is a compelling reason to upgrade as well as reiterate the point that 70% of iPhone owners are using iPhones from 2013 and older and are likely due for an upgrade. Even if reception to the 6S is muted, the analyst believes the iPhone 6 will drive strong sales from these upgrades. It also suggests that Apple’s new iPhone Upgrade Program plays an important role here. Apple may want to constrain unit shipments to carrier stores in order to draw more people to its own retail stores and sign them up on its own monthly leasing plan. Apple will likely provide more color on iPhone 6s sales at its next earnings call as well as in a press release around the 28th September announcing opening-weekend sales.

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Comments

  1. But, but, but, I thought Analysts said that Apple wouldn’t be able to hit that number this time around…

    Oh, my bad, I forgot Analysts were just paid guessers. Sorry about that, false alarm.

    • 89p13 - 9 years ago

      So Very True – and many of them continue to predict APPL’s decline, based on:

      No Steve Job “steering” Apple

      Market saturation for the iPhone

      “Bendgate”

      Not enough product stock . . .

      And yet Apple keeps proving them WRONG. I’ll start reducing my APPL position when they predict massive sales / profitability / market longevity. Until then – Pfffffft!

    • you recognize that Apple is also “guessing” their sales numbers, right?

      • jpatel330 - 9 years ago

        not completely, since pre-orders have already started. also, they have a much better understanding of their market than these analysts talking out of their asses.

    • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

      Last year prediction was 70 million this year 80-90 million units by the end of the year. So how are the anykst wrong?

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 9 years ago

      if you caught the Announcement, they listed the countries being rolled out first. This year, China was listed. I believe earlier years China was delayed at least a few months, so having China in the first round pretty much guarantees blow out sales for the first 100 days since China and US are their two biggest markets. The only issue is the 6S+ might have delays due to screen production, which happened last year.

      We’ll see what happens.

  2. luckydcxx - 9 years ago

    AAPL $$$

  3. rogifan - 9 years ago

    It’s hard to do an accurate comparison as China and New Zealand are included in the first wave this year. But I think it’s smart for Appls to stop giving a specific pre-order number. It doesn’t matter how many phones were sold in the first 24-48 hours.

  4. mytawalbeh - 9 years ago

    Pre-ordered already ! 6s plus

  5. nerissajane - 9 years ago

    Hahaha.. its all part of apple pr team!!as i expected huge line of people at apple stores. Apple claimimg instant sellouts.its all apple pr game!! We dont buy that one anymore!!iphone 6s -flop

  6. friarnurgle - 9 years ago

    Preordered 3 new iPhones with T-Mobile and was able to get free GB bump from 64GB to 128GB due to some loophole with their Jump On Demand plan. Woot. Woot.

  7. 311sie - 9 years ago

    DOOOOOOMED.

  8. jkruehne - 9 years ago

    haha, and if they “only” have 9,8 millions at the first weekend – they failed ?? :D

  9. Ilko Sarafski - 9 years ago

    Yep, just as I predicted a month ago (and I wasn’t alone ofc)! I am still confident that 6S will beat the 6.

  10. tigerpork - 9 years ago

    It just means more & more android users making the switch!

  11. Robert Dupuy - 9 years ago

    2013 iPhone 5s/c launch hit 9 million. While iPhone 6/plus was a much more popular product, by launch weekend numbers it looks about the same at 10 million. Of course they were supply constrained. Though China wasn’t included because of regulatory approval delays when it went on sale inOctobers, China’s launch weekend was an astonishing 20 million. Do people realize just how low the bar is for Apple this year? Lol…they announce they are on pace to beat 10 million….loll lollipop. Think 30 million, if they really want to beat last year. They will call 20 million a record, and that’s true enough….10 million is in the bank…good grief…lol…why not announce they expect to sell 1 MILLION PHONES….is this a time warp to 2008?

    • Robert Dupuy - 9 years ago

      Folks it’s the old game, set expectations low, the smash them. Apple won’t beat last years combined launch of 30 million. But that’s OK. Even 20 millions is good. Less than that….not good.

  12. nathillien - 9 years ago

    With China in play this time around the number Apple needs to beat is 20 million, not 10 million.
    Of course, Tim will spin the numbers the way he likes it.

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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.