Apple's iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus Have Record-Setting Weekend
— -- As if the frenzy couldn't get any bigger, Apple revealed today it sold more than 13 million of its new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus during launch weekend -- surpassing a previous record set last year by the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
"Sales for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have been phenomenal, blowing past any previous first weekend sales results in Apple’s history," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.
The launch weekend sales were given a boost by the devices being made available to customers in China where large smartphones are in demand. Apple did not release its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus during the same launch period last year.
While the phones look similar to their large predecessors, Apple made several key additions that change how iPhone users can interact with their devices.
New gestures made through "3D Touch," allow the devices to distinguish between a quick tap and a long press, opening up a new way to give commands and unlock shortcuts to the actions a user takes most often. The new iPhones also have a faster 64-bit A9 processor and a sharper camera.
While the phones will keep their existing sizes, the company also introduced a new kind of "strongest" glass on the screen, along with four colors, including the new rose gold aluminum finish.
Another feature called "Live Photos," allows details in the photos to move, such as a moving waterfall with the sound of rushing water. Any photo can be pressed get a short video, because the camera records 1.5 seconds of video before and after the picture is taken. A new icon on the camera status bar makes it easy to take Live Photos, just as you take traditional photos.
The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will be released in 40 additional countries and territories beginning Oct. 9.
