Apple gets record 2 million iPhone 5 orders in 24 hours

NEW YORK —Apple received more than two million orders for its new iPhone 5 in just 24 hours, the company said, pushing back many deliveries into October because of unprecedented demand. iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S and the customer response to iPhone 5 has been phenomenal.

Apple unveiled the new version of its iconic smartphone and opened up pre-orders. The company said the hot item would be available in 100 countries around the world by year’s end. The first customers in the United States and several other countries are expected to get the device Sept 21, but Apple said some would have to wait.

Demand for iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders will be delivered to customers on Sept 21, many are scheduled to be delivered in October. Apple’s US website said orders placed would be shipped in two to three weeks. The iPhone 5 will be available from the Apple Online Store and its retail outlets, and for U.S. customers through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart stores and other resellers.

Some analysts say Apple could sell 10 million in the opening days and 50 million before the end of 2012. Many analysts remained bullish on Apple because of the iPhone and other products, including a rumored new mini-iPad expected to be launched later this year.

Made of glass and aluminum, it features a new design to nestle in one’s palm to naturally align with thumbs and works on the faster mobile Internet networks known as LTE.