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iPhone 5 sales top 5 million in first weekend

It only went on sale last Friday, but over five million people worldwide shelled out for an iPhone 5 in the first three days.

Katie Collins Senior European Correspondent
Katie a UK-based news reporter and features writer. Officially, she is CNET's European correspondent, covering tech policy and Big Tech in the EU and UK. Unofficially, she serves as CNET's Taylor Swift correspondent. You can also find her writing about tech for good, ethics and human rights, the climate crisis, robots, travel and digital culture. She was once described a "living synth" by London's Evening Standard for having a microchip injected into her hand.
Katie Collins
2 min read

It may have only gone on sale last Friday, but Apple announced today that over 5 million people worldwide shelled out for an iPhone 5 during its first three on sale.

At the weekend we reported that the iPhone 5 sold as well in its first two days as the iPhone 4S did in its first month on shelves Stateside.

Its popularity has meant demand has far outstripped supply, so while many of you may have already got your hands on a new iPhone, some folk have been told they must wait until October.

Apple head honcho Tim Cook has waded in with some reassuring words to placate waiting tech heads, saying: "While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone's patience and are working hard to build enough iPhone 5s for everyone."

The iPhone 5 is slightly taller than its predecessor, with a 4-inch screen and 16:9 aspect ratio that allows you to view movies without any nasty black bars getting in the way. It's also lighter and thinner than the iPhone 4S and packs a more powerful processor and a better camera.

Apple also reported that over 100 million devices have been updated to iOS 6, the latest and most sophisticated version of its software. Those with a new iPhone will find iOS 6 already on board, but the rest of you with an Apple device will have to lay down the gangplank and invite it up on deck. Be aware though, me hearties, that once you do, you'll find some old favourites such as the YouTube app and Google Maps have been tossed overboard.

Have you managed to lay your hands on an iPhone 5 yet, or are you still waiting? What do you make of iOS 6? Duck below deck to the comments section or hoist yourself over to our Facebook page to tell us what you think.