Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Sorry ‘GTA 5,’ Apple made more than $5.2 billion this weekend and sold 9 million iPhones

Jeffrey Van Camp
By
apple iphone 5c vs 5s rear
Digital Trends

Grand Theft Auto V may have made entertainment history with $1 billion grossed in its first few days, but all it takes is an iPhone to show how to really move some money. In a press release, Apple revealed that it has already sold more than 9 million iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C smartphones from Friday to Sunday.

We don’t know precisely how much money Apple made, but during its last quarter, the company reported an average of $581 per iPhone sold. Multiplying that by the 9 million devices sold and we have an astounding $5,229,000,000. Yep, Apple likely pulled in at least $5.2 billion this weekend on the iPhone 5S and 5C combined.

Recommended Videos

iPhone 5S outsold iPhone 5C by a factor of 3.4x this weekend.

Related

This makes the iPhone 5S and 5C a much more successful launch than the iPhone 5 last year, which racked up a still-impressive 5 million in first-weekend sales. It appears that the combination of a second, cheaper, more colorful iPhone 5C; a more innovative flagship phone, the 5S; and a completely revamped iOS operating system have driven interest in the iPhone back to the record levels we used to expect with each new iPhone launch.

We noticed much longer lines for the iPhone this year. At an Apple store in mid-Michigan, there were only 3-6 people out of about 150 who intended to buy the new iPhone 5C. Most people in line were there to buy the more expensive iPhone 5S. This was likely spurred by Apple’s decision not to accept online pre-orders for the high-end iPhone 5S. 

Our estimate of $5.2 billion may be a lot lower than what Apple hauled in. A lot of people in line at our store were ordering 32GB and 64GB iPhone 5S units, which cost $100 to $200 more than the standard 16GB $650 iPhone 5S (non-subsidized). A bulk of sales were likely made in Apple stores, which also brings in more money for Apple than phones sold at wireless carrier stores.

Localytics estimates that the iPhone 5S outsold the iPhone 5C by a factor of 3.4x this weekend. Don’t fret for the iPhone 5C though. It will likely sell in droves, but not to the type of people who need a phone on launch weekend and are willing to wait in the rain and dark to get it.

Finally, Apple revealed that iOS 7, which was released last Wednesday (Sept. 18), has been installed on more than 200 million devices already.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jeffrey Van Camp
Jeffrey Van Camp
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…
Everything Apple says is wrong about the DOJ’s iPhone lawsuit
The Apple logo on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The antitrust season is in full swing in 2024. This time around, Apple is in the cross-hairs of regulators, bringing back memories of the historic Microsoft antitrust case that unfolded over two decades ago. Back then, the focus was on Windows and web browsers. In Apple’s case, the iPhone is the centerpiece, with a wide ecosystem woven around it.

Experts say the case against Apple, which dives deep into monopolistic conduct, is surprisingly strong. The Department of Justice, in its lawsuit, has targeted everything from the iMessage “green bubble” mess and Apple Watch incompatibility situation to the locked app ecosystem and objectionable practices that Apple has put in place to maintain its alleged monopoly.

Read more
We now know when Apple is adding RCS to the iPhone
The iPhone 14 Plus held in a man's hand.

Last November, Apple made a surprise announcement when it confirmed that RCS was coming to the iPhone in 2024. It's something iPhone and Android phone users alike have been waiting years for, but there was just one small problem: Apple never said when in 2024 RCS was coming. Thanks to Google, of all companies, we now have a better idea of when RCS is heading to the iPhone.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the Android website was recently updated with a new page dedicated to Google Messages. If you click on the "See more features" button for the section talking about RCS, there's a section titled "Better messaging for all" with the following text: "Apple has announced it will be adopting RCS in the fall of 2024. Once that happens, it will mean a better messaging experience for everyone."

Read more
Mophie made one of the cutest iPhone accessories I’ve ever used
Mophie Cherry Blossom 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe.

Out with the old and in with the new. Spring is finally here, kicking out old man winter and breathing some color back into nature. Plus, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has started in Washington, DC, so if you’re lucky enough to be in the area, take advantage of those gorgeous cherry blossoms!

For those of us who aren’t around for one of the biggest spring celebrations in the U.S., there are other ways to commemorate the season. For example, Mophie recently released a limited edition Cherry Blossom color for its 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe.

Read more