Last week, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C smartphones to the public. Although the phones have yet to arrive to stores, pre-orders for the devices started on Friday. The interesting thing about this year’s unveiling is that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) still has yet to share pre-order numbers for the 5C (the iPhone 5S isn’t available for pre-order). Previously, the tech giant would share the numbers within a twenty-four period once the pre-sales started. Since the numbers usually more than double with each consecutive year, these pre-order announcements usually provide an opportunity to brag.
One reason for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s choice to stay mum on this year’s pre-orders is the fact two phones were released in this year, the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C. The former is the flagship model and the latter is the budget version. These new phones will replace the now discontinued iPhone 5. Sales for the 5S model will start on September 20th.
Apple was on track for around 1 million iPhone 5C pre-orders
CNET also suggested that sales for the iPhone 5C might have not been as significant as Apple would have liked. CNET’s Josh Lowensohn noted, “An analyst note on Friday suggested Apple was on track for around 1 million iPhone 5C pre-orders in its first day. That would be roughly half the 2 million pre-orders Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) reported following its first day of iPhone 5 pre-sales, and closer to the company’s total ahead of 2011’s iPhone 4S. That smaller figure might not matter all that much if Apple goes on to sell more of both devices in the coming week than it did with last year’s model, but certainly makes early comparisons more difficult.”
Pre-orders for the iPhone 5 sold out within the first hour
Interestingly enough, pre-orders for the iPhone 5 sold out within the first hour. It’s not all negative though—perhaps Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is ahead of the game by stocking up on the iPhone 5C, or maybe fans are waiting for the iPhone 5S to arrive in stores? Only time will tell what kind of impact the budget phone has on the market.
