With the recent release of Apple’s new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C flagships, the Cupertino-based electronics manufacturer set new company records for smartphone with 9 million despite analysts predicting sales in the neighborhood of 5-6 million. Both device variants are available now on all major U.S. cell carriers, with the iPhone 5S costing $199 with a two-year contract and 16GB of internal storage. The iPhone 5C will cost a more-affordable $99 with the same stipulations.
One of the more controversial pieces of gossip in regards to Apple has been that the famed maker of popular devices like the iPod and iPad, as well as the new iPhone 5S and 5C, has lost the innovative spark that Steve Jobs used to inject a visceral sense of the cutting edge throughout all Apple products. But despite the fact that Apple hasn’t released a brand new gadget in years, iPhone sales are through the roof.
With the 9 million iPhone sales to date, Forbes reports that Apple stock has jumped ” $18.03, or 3.9 percent, to $485.44 at 11:58 am New York time in Nasdaq trading” showing just how highly anticipated both devices have been.
In modest fashion, Apple CEO Tim Cook released a statement on the company’s website thanking its user-base for the support and sales. If you read it close enough, you can almost hear him tell naysays “Told ya so.”
“This is our best iPhone launch yet?more than nine million new iPhones sold?a new record for first weekend sales,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The demand for the new iPhones has been incredible, and while we’ve sold out of our initial supply of iPhone 5s, stores continue to receive new iPhone shipments regularly. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough new iPhones for everyone”
The 5S comes in three color options (gold, silver, and slate) while the 5C (C for color) comes in a spectrum of neon colors, though if you’re looking to place an order for any version, you’re likely to have to wait until carriers re-stock. iPhone inventories were expected to be rather constrained and never-before-had colors like gold could be hard to come by.
The 5C was touted as a low-cost flagship, an easier to afford option for those who can’t spring for Apple’s notoriously high-priced gizmos, but is far from a low-end smartphone. I carries Apple’s signature A6 chip and runs on iOS 7 while also boasting a number of new features.
The 5S is a much more powerful device, coming in its usual anodized aluminum finish, running on a next-generation A7 processor and GPU.
It’ll be interesting to check out reviews once people become more acclimated to the iPhone 5S and 5C as initial product releases usually have a few kinks to iron out, though they still offer a picture of what to expect once it’s fully functional.
For those lucky enough to pick up either device or are planning on doing so, leave your thoughts and comments in the section below.
