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Apple reveals record setting preorders for iPhone 6s and says it expects to sell more than 10 MILLION in one weekend

New models go on sale September 25th
Handsets have more memory and faster processors, and 3D Touch screen
Apple admits sales have exceeded expectations

Published: 11:38 EST, 14 September 2015 | Updated: 14:26 EST, 14 September 2015

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Preorders for its latest iPhone have been so strong that Apple expects to surpass last year's record, when it sold 10 million phones during the first weekend.

Apple began taking preorders for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus on Saturday.

The new models, which go on sale Sept. 25, have more memory and faster processors, along with a new 12 mega-pixel camera.

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The handset will be available around the world on the 25th September

The phones have not gone up in price, but last year's record-selling iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models will now sell for $100 less.

'As many customers noticed, the online demand for iPhone 6s Plus has been exceptionally strong and exceeded our own forecasts for the preorder period,' Apple said.

'We are working to catch up as quickly as we can, and we will have iPhone 6s Plus as well as iPhone 6s units available at Apple retail stores when they open next Friday.'

The iPhone is still Apple's most important product. Sales of the iconic smartphone contributed more than two-thirds of the Cupertino, California, company's $107 billion in revenue during the first half of 2015.

The newest product from Apple arrives as smartphone sales slow globally, with so many people already carrying them.

But researchers at IDC, an industry data provider, say that iPhone sales are growing faster those of its rival, Android. IDC expects iPhone shipments to grow by 16 percent this year, while it estimates Android phones will grow only 10 percent.

Analysts said demand is being boosted partly by China, which is being included in the initial launch for the first time. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said he expects China to add 2 million units to the opening weekend.

'We believe the takeaway is that the 6S is off to a solid start and should continue to gain share at the high-end of the smartphone market,' he wrote.

FBR analyst Dan Ives also said demand in China should help boost sales results, despite its volatile economy.

'While we are keeping a close eye on China given the macro backdrop and consumer worries, we believe Apple's `white-hot momentum' in the country will continue in coming quarters,' he said, since there is room to grow market share, growing demand for its App store and other selling opportunities there.

Shares of Apple Inc., based in Cupertino, California, rose $1.47 to $115.68 Monday.

Apple says 'users can even set your favourite Live Photo as your Lock screen wallpaper, so you can relive a moment any time you take your iPhone 6s out of your pocket.

This made them larger than they needed to be.

The new handsets were unveiled as Apple launched a massive revamp of its products including new iPhones, a 'monster' iPad with a 12.9-inch screen and a new $149 TV box that can run apps and games.

At a special event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Tim Cook showed off a raft of products, which also include new colours and straps developed with Hermes for the Apple Watch.

The new iPhones, called the 6s and 6s Plus, include a new rose gold option and a new screen technology called 3D Touch.

The 3D touch screen allows users to press harder on the screen to access extra menus and even a special selfie feature.

'Along with traditional gestures, the iPhone now recognises force,' said Sir Jonathan Ive.

Pushing down on the screen allows users to access a new 'peek menu'.

The new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus both support the new Live pictures. Apple says they could be the future of photography, mixing still photos and video into 'Live Photos' - although experts warn they could fill your phone.

The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus come in four finishes - silver, gold, space grey and rose gold - and come in two sizes that match last year's handsets measurements.

The phone also has a new, much faster chip Apple's Phil Schiller says is the 'fastest ever in a phone'.

It will cost the same as the iPhone 6 and 6Plus, from $199, and go on sale on September 25th.

EE will be offering the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus with Wi-Fi calling from 25 September in the UK.

It will additionally be offered on Vodafone, O2, Three, and be on sale at Carphone Warehouse and Currys PC world.

APPLE UNVEILS 'MOST ADVANCED SMARTPHONES IN THE WORLD'

The phones look almost identical - but include a new 3D touch screen.

Apple's boss Tim Cook also unveiled a new range of iPhones at the event.

He said: 'iPhone has changed the world. And while they may look familiar, we have changed everything about these new iPhones.

'The iPhones you are about to see are the most advanced smartphones in the world.'

The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus come in four finishes - silver, gold, space grey and rose gold - and come in two sizes that match last year's handsets measurements.

They are covered by a brand new brand new glass that Apple said is 'incredibly durable.'

Apple's Phil Schiller added: 'The most profound feature ever bought to the world is multi-touch.

'So our team has been hard at work to deliver a new experience that is just as profound.

'They've done it and it's called 3D Touch.'

Similar to Force Touch seen on the Apple Watch and new Macbook, the feature responds to specific pressures.

For example, pressing lightly on the screen provides a 'peek' at the content, while pressing harder opens that content.

This is done by measuring microscopic distances from a range of sensors to accurately measure pressure.

It will cost the same as the iPhone 6 and 6Plus, from $199, and go on sale on September 25th.

Apple has also boosted the camera to a 12 megapixel iSight camera to boost picture quality, and it can now record video in 4K.

There is also a new 5mp front facing camera to boost selfie quality, which uses the screen as a flash.

It also revealed a new 'live photo' which mixes a still and video image.

Pressing on the picture causes video to show and audio to play.

The pictures are created automatically.

HOW THE NEW IPHONES COMPARE TO OTHER HANDSETS
HANDSET	SCREEN SIZE	Pixels Per Inch (PPI)	STORAGE	OPERATING SYSTEM	FRONT-FACING CAMERA	REAR-FACING CAMERA	BATTERY
iPhone 6S	4.7-inches	326	16, 64GB and 128GB	iOS 9	5MP	12MP	1715mAH
iPhone 6S Plus	5.5-inches	401	16, 64GB and 128GB	iOS 9	5MP	12MP	2750mAh
iPhone 6	4.7-inches	326	16, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB	iOS 8	1.2MP	8MP	1810mAh
iPhone 6 Plus	5.5-inches	401	16, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB	iOS 8	1.2MP	8MP	2915mAh
Huawei Mate S	5.5-inches	401	32GB	Android 5.1	8MP	13MP	2700mAh
Samsung S6	5.1-inches	577	32GB, 64GB and 128GB	Android 5.0	5MP	16MP	2550mAH
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge	5.1-inches	577	32GB, 64GB and 128GB	Android 5.0	5MP	16MP	2600mAh
Samsung Galaxy Note 5	5.7-inches	518	32GB and 64GB	Android 5.1	5MP	16MP	3000mAh
HTC One M9	5-inches	441	32GB	Android 5.0	4MP	20MP	2840mAh

Apple has also boosted the camera to a 12 megapixel iSight camera to boost picture quality, and it can now record video in 4K.

There is also a new 5mp front facing camera to boost selfie quality, which uses the screen as a flash.

It also revealed a new 'live photo' which mixes a still and video image.

Pressing on the picture causes video to show and audio to play.

The pictures are created automatically.

The new chip also has a new 'always on' Siri feature, and an improved fingerprint sensor the firm says is twice as fast as previous version.

The much rumoured 'monster iPad', officially called the iPad Pro, was first to be revealed.

'iPad is the clearest expression of our vision of the future of personal computing,' said Cook. 'We asked ourselves how we can take it further - and we have the biggest news in Pad since the iPad.'

Apple's Phil Schiller showed off the device, which has a 12.9inch screen.

'This is an amazing display, he said.

Apple has a new 9x chip to power the device, described as 'desktop class performance'.

It has four speakers, and is 6.9mm thin, and has a case with keyboard built in, similar to Microsoft's Surface tablet.

It also comes with an optional stylus called Apple Pencil.

'To enhance what's possible and allow a new level of precision, we've designed Apple Pencil,' said Sir Jonathan Ive.

Microsoft showed off its Office software on the device, and Adobe showed off its image software.

Cook also revealed a new TV box.

The new remote has a glass-touch surface that lets viewers control menus with their fingers.

It additionally features a 'Siri' button that lets viewers search using just their voice.

Prices start at $149 for 32GB model and $199 for a 64GB device.

It will go on sale in October.

All of the screens have been redesigned to 'focus on the content' and Siri will search across every app - including Netflix, iTunes, HBO, Showtime and Hulu - to find this content.

Apple showed off new apps for the TV, including a special multiplayer version of the hit game Crossy Road, and a version of the Gilt shopping site.

It also revealed a new Major League Baseball app which includes live feeds and video.

'It really is the golden age of television - but the experience hasn't changed much in decades,' said Tim Cook.

'Today, we are going to do something about that.

'Our version for TV is simple and a little provocative - we believe the future is apps.

Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, introduces the new iPad Pro at the Apple event in the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco

'We've been working really hard on this - today, I'm thrilled to show you the new Apple TV.'

Eddy Cue showed off the device, with a new touch remote.

The remote also includes Siri, and the device can search across multiple services such as Hulu and Netflix, HBO and show where programmes are available.

It will run software called TVos, and developers will be able to create their own apps.

Other Siri features include the ability to find exact clips within episodes and the option to skip back and show dialogue that was missed.

While watching a film or TV show, swiping down on the touch surface will present a menu of information about actors, for example.

HOW THE IPADS COMPARE
Feature	iPad	iPad 2	iPad 3	iPad 4	iPad Mini	iPad Mini 2	iPad Mini 3	iPad Air	iPad Air 2	iPad Pro
Display	9.7-inch	9.7-inch	9.7-inch	9.7-inch	7.9-inch	7.9-inch	7.9-inch	9.7-inch	9.7-inch	12.9-inch
Memory	16- 64 GB	16-64 GB	16-64 GB	16-128 GB	16-64 GB	16-64 GB	16-128 GB	16-128 GB	16-128 GB	32GB & 128GB
Rear Camera	None	720p	5 MP	5 MP	5 MP	5 MP	5 MP	5 MP	8 MP	TBC
Front Camera	None	VGA	720p	720p	720p	720p	720p	720p	720p	TBC
Thickness	13.4mm	9mm	9mm	9mm	7mm	7mm	7mm	7.5mm	6.1mm	6.9mm
Weight	730g	601g	650g	650g	310g	330g	330g	469g	440g	TBC
Announced	Jan 2010	March 2011	March 2012	Oct 2012	Oct 2012	Oct 2013	Oct 2014	Oct 2013	Oct 2014	Sep 2015
Released	April 2010	March 2011	March 2012	Nov 2012	Nov 2012	Nov 2013	Oct 2014	Nov 2013	Oct 2014	Nov 2015
Discontinued	March 2011	March 2012	Oct 2012	Oct 2013	Oct 2013	Oct 2014	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Viewers can also ask Siri questions about the show, or ask for sports scores or weather information, and the answers appear at the bottom of the screen.

Turning the remote on its side transforms it into a games controller, and iOS games have been adapted to work on the larger screen.

TV OS even offers multiplayer functions on compatible apps, such as Crossy Road.

Cook first spoke about the Apple Watch, revealing customer satisfaction was 97%.

Apple unveiled new gold and a rose gold 'pink' version of its Sport watch, along with new band colours.

Jeff Williams of Apple showed off a new version of the watch software, called Watch OS2.

It will allow third party apps to run on the watch for the first time.

There are already over 10,000 apps, he said, and revealed Facebook's first watch app, for its Messenger app.

Others include translation software and a remote app for GoPro cameras.

It also showed off Airstrip, a watch app for doctors to monitor patients.

Apple also revealed it has been working with fashion firm Hermes to create new watch straps.

One of the expected announcements, new coloured bands for the firm's smartwatch, has already leaked online.

Apple also revealed it has been working with fashion firm Hermes to create new watch straps

'Apple's master plan is to be ubiquitous,' said Jordan Edelson of software firm Appetizer Mobile, explaining why Apple is increasingly designing its iPhone and Siri to interact with cars, televisions and 'smart' home systems.

It isn't a sure bet: Apple rivals like Google, Samsung and Microsoft are building their own technology for Internet-connected cars and homes.

Apple sold a record 183 million iPhones in the nine months since releasing the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which have bigger screens than earlier models.

That has allowed the company to remain highly profitable, even as Samsung and other phone makers struggle.

FORCE TOUCH

The Force Touch technology is found in the Apple Watch and the new Macbook.

'The new trackpad features built-in force sensors that allow you to click anywhere and haptic feedback that provides a responsive and uniform feel,' Apple says.

'You can even customize the feel of the trackpad by changing the amount of pressure needed to register each click.

'The Force Touch trackpad also enables a new gesture called Force Click, a click followed by a deeper press, for tasks like pulling up the definition of a word, quickly seeing a map or glancing at a preview of a file.'

The new technology could spawn new applications for the phones, such as a piano-playing app that would make different sounds when touched lightly or more heavily.

Some analysts question whether these features will inspire the same type of consumer demand that propelled last year's iPhone success story.

But research firm Kantar Worldpanel says a substantial number of iPhone owners are still using older, smaller models, which makes them likely candidates to upgrade.

Analysts say the new TV box is part of Apple's broader strategy to carve out a bigger role in the home.

For instance, the new Apple TV could serve as a hub for Siri to control lamps, thermostats and other 'smart' appliances, using Apple's HomeKit technology.

It could also set the stage for Apple to later introduce a streaming video service aimed at competing with Netflix and other Internet entertainment services.

Even without an Apple TV, new iPhone software will make it easier to set up automated homes, including having lights turn on and window shades go up when you tell Siri on the phone, 'Time to wake up.'

With the new software for iPhones and iPads, Siri can also offer recommendations, such as nearby restaurants, before you even ask.

It might even launch apps for you, based on your past habits, when you attach headphones or connect to a Bluetooth speaker in a car.

Siri will also offer to add calendar and contact entries based on your incoming email - something Google already does with its competing services.

New iPhones will come with this new software, known as iOS 9.

Apple also plans to release it as a free update for existing iPhones and iPads, likely next week.

After major software updates over the past two years, the new software for iPhones and iPads is mostly about refinements, including a different font, a new way to scroll through photos and behind-the-scenes tweaks to improve battery life.

But there will be a few new features beyond a smarter Siri.

Apple's Phil Schiller speaks about iPhone docks during at the event

For instance, major cities will get transit directions, addressing a major shortcoming with Apple Maps.

In some cities, including New York and London, Apple sent teams to map out subway exits and entrances.

That way, users getting to the subway are guided to the closest entrance, while those getting off are told which exit signs to look for.

The first suggestion of a supersized tablet came just weeks after claims that the large screen size of the iPhone 6 Plus was impacting on iPad usage.

The release of Apple's iPhone 6 Plus means there is now only a 2.4-inch difference between the size of the phablet's screen, and the display on its iPad mini.

Analysis has revealed that as phones become larger, more people are using them for watching videos or reading - making their tablets almost redundant.

A study by Pocket - an app that lets users save webpages, videos and other content for reading - recently found that people who upgraded to an iPhone 6 Plus use their tablets 36 per cent less than before.