The Apple (AAPL 0.59%) iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c went on sale across the globe today, and initial media reports point to strong sales for the newest iterations of the flagship Apple product.
An Apple representative told AllThingsD that "demand for the new iPhones has been incredible, and we are currently sold out or have limited supply of certain iPhone 5s models in some stores."
CNET reported the gold-colored iPhone 5s models had their available shipping dates pushed to seven to 10 days within 10 minutes of the midnight launch, and then simply to "October" within 30 minutes. They still stand at October as of the time of writing across all three major carriers.
In addition, silver and space gray models of the iPhone 5s are currently listed as available to ship within 7 to 10 days. The less expensive iPhone 5c (available in white, pink, yellow, blue, and green) are available to be shipped within one to three days.
In addition USA TODAY noted that "Analysts from Piper Jaffray and ISI predict Apple will sell between 5 and 6 million iPhones this weekend, slightly ahead of the pace of last year's iPhone 5 launch." Last year on the Monday after the opening weekend of the iPhone 5, Apple announced it had sold more than 5 million iPhone 5 models.
For the past three years, Apple had issued information on iPhone pre-order activity, but it did not do so this year.
Bloomberg and NBC are reporting today that Apple is set for a record opening weekend, but that there is some concern related to Apple's ability to get the product to consumers in a timely manner as a result of product shortages.
Apple Insider reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook showed up this morning at the Palo Alto University Apple Store in California to greet loyal fans and product enthusiasts.
