Apple Inc. said it sold more than 10 million of its new iPhone 6
and iPhone 6 Plus devices during the first weekend of sales, a new
high for the company even though the devices have yet to go on sale
in China.
"Sales for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus exceeded our expectations
for the launch weekend, and we couldn't be happier," Apple Chief
Executive Tim Cook said in a news release.
The phones started selling at stores in 10 regions Friday,
beginning at $199 with a two-year contract with wireless providers.
Last week, the company said it received more than four million
preorders of the phones during the first 24 hours, which the
company dubbed a record.
"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," Mr.
Cook said Monday.
To compare, a year ago, the company sold nine million iPhones in
the first weekend it sold its 5S and 5C models, while in 2012, it
posted two million preorders for its initial iPhone 5 devices. The
iPhone 5, 5S and 5C also made its debut in China on the devices'
first weekends of sales.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, however, aren't yet available in the
China, while they're for sale in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia
and Japan. This has led some buyers to pursue resales of the new
phones at exorbitant prices to Chinese buyers eager to get their
hands on the devices.
The company said the new phones will be available in more than
20 additional countries by Friday and in 115 countries by the end
of the year.
Apple and its wireless partners, not to mention investors, have
placed high expectations on the new phones. Shares of the tech
giant have risen by about a third over the past five months,
closing Friday at $100.96.
Apple shares added 71 cents to $101.67 in premarket trading.
Much of the excitement has been driven by what many see as a
long-overdue upgrade. Both the iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus feature
bigger screens than previous models, finally relenting after years
of consumer and industry pressure to offer bigger devices.
Meanwhile, wireless companies lured in shoppers with incentives
and deals, such as Verizon Wireless's offer of free iPhone 6
devices to people who trade in their old iPhones and sign up for a
two-year contract.
Write to Michael Calia at michael.calia@wsj.com
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