Despite getting off to a rocky start, pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus hit record numbers on Friday. The company isn't saying just how many smartphones it sold, but anyone wanting the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will see shipping delays of about a week, and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus is showing even longer delays.
Apple says iPhone 6 pre-orders hit record numbers
An Apple spokesperson told CNET, "Response to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has been incredible, with a record number of preorders overnight."
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus were introduced at a special media event earlier this week. Pre-orders were set to start today, and the new models will be in stores next Friday, September 19.
Apple started pre-orders after midnight Friday morning, but their Web-based store only showed a message saying it would be back soon. Frustrated customers were able to place orders through the iPhone and iPad-based Apple Store app, although many dealt with ongoing errors preventing them from completing the pre-order process.
Shoppers buying the iPhone 6 Plus all found their orders would be delayed about at least a week beyond next Friday's ship date. iPhone 6 pre-orders held up much longer, but by late in the afternoon most every model was showing a several day wait beyond September 19.
The new iPhone 6 models include Apple's own A8 processor and M8 motion co-processor, better graphics performance, 802.11ac WiFi, NFC mobile payment support, 8MP camera with improved image sensor, thinner bodies that match the iPad Air and iPad mini, improved battery life, and more. Pricing for the iPhone 6 starts at US$199 for the 16GB model, the 64GB version costs $399, and the 128GB version is $499. The iPhone 6 Plus version all cost $100 more.
Apple's carrier partners saw strong pre-order numbers, too, although they aren't saying exactly how many units they processed. Verizon said was quiet, but Sprint said it was pleased with pre-order volume, and AT&T said it's first day orders beat the previous two iPhone pre-order launches.
[Some image elements courtesy Shutterstock]