Since launching the newest Apple iPhones, the 6s and 6s Plus, on Sept. 25, the Cupertino, Calif.-based tech giant claims to have sold a record-breaking 13 million units, beating its previous launch weekend sales figures.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a prepared statement, called the results “phenomenal. Customers’ feedback is incredible and they are loving 3D Touch and Live Photos, and we can’t wait to bring iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus to customers in even more countries on Oct. 9.
Unlike previous product launches, this latest rollout included sales in China for the first time. Earlier this year China sales passed sales in Europe making it Apple’s second largest market to the U.S.
New features include a 12-megapixel camera that takes photos that appear “live” on the device and move when pressed; support for LTE-Advanced, Wi-Fi with multiple-input/multiple-output technology and 23 LTE bands; the ability to record 4K or ultra-high-definition video; and faster touch identification. As with earlier iPhone 6 models, the 6s and 6s Plus support voice over LTE, Wi-Fi calling and Wi-Fi 802.11ac, and it comes in new finishes: gold and rose gold.
Apple also touted the next evolution of multitouch screens with what it is calling 3D Touch, or the screen’s ability to differentiate between different amounts of pressure in order to “peek” or “pop” into content on the device. A light touch results in a peek, or a curtailed view of content on the device, while exerting more pressure pops a user into the actual content without having to go through opening the application.
The two new iPhone 6s models are available in 16 gigabyte, 64 GB and 128 GB models, priced at $649/$749/$849 for the iPhone 6s and from $749/$849/$949 for the iPhone 6s Plus.
Countries included in the Oct. 9 availability date include: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Taiwan. On Oct. 10, countries include Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will be available in India, Malaysia and Turkey on Friday, Oct. 16 and in over 130 countries by the end of the year, according to Apple.