Apple sells record 13m iPhone 6s and 6s Plus handsets on opening weekend

Record compares to last year’s total of 10 million iPhone 6 and 6s smartphones sold three days after going on sale

Apple has sold more than 13 million new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models during their opening weekend on sale – a new record for the company.

This compares to the previous record of 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets sold three days after going on sale last year.

The iPhone 6s (pictured left) and 6s Plus (pictured right) were made available in 12 countries, including the UK, last Friday. They will go on sale in more than 40 countries from October 9, with more than 130 selling the devices by the end of the year.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said:  “Sales for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have been phenomenal, blowing past any previous first weekend sales results in Apple’s history, Customers’ feedback is incredible and they are loving 3D Touch and Live Photos.

The Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were announced on September 9 in front of more than 7,000 attendees at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

Analysts praised the smartphones, claiming their huge success will set them up for a potentially record-breaking final quarter of the calendar year.