Apple sells record 9 million new iPhones in three days
In an unusual move, Apple raises its financial guidance after 9 million of the 5s and 5c models are sold in the first three days after their launch
Apple sold a more-than-expected nine million iPhone 5s and 5c models in the first three days following their Friday launch, prompting the company to issue a more optimistic financial forecast.
Sales of the new models were nearly double those of the iPhone 5 in the first weekend after its launch a year ago. The iPhone 5 sold five million in its first three days on the market.
"It's a great number," Colin Gillis, an analyst with BGC Partners, said of the sales figure for the 5s and 5c. "We have been saying they will be selling every 5s they can make and it looks like that is the case."
Wall Street analysts had expected Apple to sell about six million of the two new iPhones.
Apple tweaked its financial forecast to reflect the higher sales, an unusual move for the firm. It said revenue in the financial fourth quarter would be near the high end of its previous forecast of US$34 billion to US$37 billion. Gross profit margin would come in at the top of its previous forecast of 36 to 37 per cent.
