iPhone 5 Sales Top Five Million in Launch Weekend

Monday September 24, 2012 5:36 am PDT by Eric Slivka

Apple today announced opening weekend sales of the iPhone 5 topped five million units, exceeding the four million iPhone 4S units sold during that device's debut weekend last year. The number follows the company's earlier announcement that it had taken over two million pre-orders for the device in the first 24 hours of availability. Apple also announced today that over 100 million devices have been upgraded to iOS 6.

“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,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “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.”

iPhone 5 34Hi Stagger FrontBack Black PRINT
Apple's five million iPhone 5 unit sales seem to fall short of many analysts' expectations. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster last week predicted sales of eight million units based Apple's announced pre-order number, calling six million units the worst-case scenario for the company.

The iPhone 5 launched in nine countries last Friday, and will be debuting in 22 more countries this Friday, September 29.

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Top Rated Comments

blizaine

184 months ago

I need to become an analyst. I would be super good at randomly making up numbers.

Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Leonard1818

184 months ago

but but but... what about the lackluster screen size? What about the same form factor as the 4 and 4s? What about the lack of NFC technology? but but but... what the heck you guys! you weren't supposed to buy this thing, remember!

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jonnysods

184 months ago

Analysts are funny. 6 million would be worst case, so 5 million units is a fail?

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Zunjine

184 months ago

You mean like the majority of Macrumors users now? :rolleyes:

The only sad thing is that the Apple fanboys that populate this site now are completely unable to see that they are exactly the same as the fanboys which populate any other site.

There was a time when I would show my Apple colors with pride, but these days it's like wearing an MTV t-shirt.

I love fanboys. I really do. I can see nothing wrong with someone liking something too much. Sure, the crazier fanboys may be deluded but who are they hurting?

That's why I will always back the fanboys in any argument with the troll or troll like flamebaiters. I don't care if the trolls are right because they're joyless gits who seem to enjoy ruining other people's fun.

Look at it this way, there are many popular artists who I don't like but I don't go and stand outside their concerts and make fun of their fans. If they're having fun and not hurting anyone then I say good for them. Similarly there are some Apple fans who are deluded or who lack a sense of proportion but why should that matter? I don't go to Blackberry fansites and take the piss out of them because of the plastic keyboards and falling sales. I don't try to make Nokia fans feel bad for their preferred brand's lack of recent success. Why would I?

I think this is where the original poster who brought up GSMArena was going with his post - it isn't that they are big Android fans but rather that they spend so much time flaming Apple. That's a negative sort of fanboyism. It's small minded and unpleasant.

I love Apple products. If you or anyone else loves products by any other company, cool. It's all about being happy, when you get down to it.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)