Apple announced Monday that preorders for the iPhone 5 topped 2 million units in the first 24 hours after it became available on Friday, more than doubling the prior
record of one million held by the iPhone 4S.
Because demand has outstripped initial supply, the company said many won’t receive the iPhone 5 until October, beyond the original Sept. 21
delivery date. Apple unveiled the latest version of its signature device on Sept. 12, ending months of avid speculation about its features and capabilities.
AT&T separately said it hit a
sales record over the weekend with the iPhone 5, making it the
fastest-selling iPhone the company has ever offered. Customers ordered more iPhones from the carrier than any previous model both on its first day of pre-orders and over the weekend. AT&T
didn’t disclose actual sales figures in its announcement but said it would continue to take preorders through Sept. 21, when the iPhone hits stores.