Apple’s iPhone 5 sales have recorded 5 million units sold during its first weekend of availability to the public. This follows on the heels of the 2 million units sold during its preorder period, which set a new record for iPhone sales.
Tim Cook, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s CEO, said in a statement, “Demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible. While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough iPhone 5s for everyone.”
Many of the preordered units will not be shipped to customers until October, which only goes to prove that Apple’s device is truly a hit with users. The company is facing some supply chain issues, as we reported earlier this week. However, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has assured their customers they will do everything in their power to meet the demand for the new gadget.
It looks like Gene Munster may have easily been right when he predicted iPhone 5 to be Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s biggest product launch ever. This gadget’s appeal has turned millions of people into “Apple Bots”, who want nothing less than the new iPhone 5.
Some of the people desire a new iPhone so much, they couldn’t wait for the stores to open and sell them. In Japan, just hours before the Apple stores opened to begin selling their phones, there was a burglary, in which the robbers removed over $100,000 worth of iPhones. This robbery definitely set Apple back in its Japan sales that day, but the company seems to be rebounding well.
The iPhone 5 is currently available in 9 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Japan. There will be 22 more countries added to the launch list on September 28. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) also indicated that more than 100 countries around the globe will have the new iPhone by the end of this year.
iPhone 5 set a record with its sales this weekend, topping the iPhone 4S, which sold 4 million units in its 24 hours of availability. However, the product shortages have caused Apple to miss some of the higher sales predictions, made by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) loving Wall Street Analysts, and at the same time, they have kept Apple from doubling the number of units iPhone 4S sold.
However, with all of this aside, Apple’s iPhone 5 is without a doubt, the hottest gadget of the year, and people can not wait to get their hands on it.
