[justlurking]

The iPhone 5C is just an iPhone 5 in a new plastic case, with a couple of improvements. Apple has always discounted the previous model when they roll out a new one.

It would be interesting if you could figure out how many "new" buyers bought the 5C, but wouldn't have bought a 5 under the same conditions, and wouldn't have bought a 5S if even if it was available.

It's also a bit harder to compare this launch to the previous launch, because they have additional countries participating in the launch this year.

[ilgipper]

You are right about the 5c specs, but they are taking a different marketing approach now. Before, they just continued to market the old model at a lower price to broaden their reach in competition with the wide array of android and windows phones out there. Now they are essentially creating a more marketable product that they can not just push as a low cost alternative at the carriers stores and websites, but a full fledge brand that they can run ads and promote like their competitors. Plus, with the different colors, they can probably attract younger buyers and female buyers who before might go with the playful new android at the cheaper price before instead of last years apple model. Of nothing else, apple knows marketing, and they were definitely taking hits the past year or row as their competition has improved.

[HamiltonJay]

Well since the 5S sold out, the 5C numbers are probably inflated, in fact if you go to apple.com right now they are promoting the 5C because they are out of stock on the 5S... so they are now in the make something rather than nothing mode.... It is odd to see the secondary device taking the spotlight, but since the 5S is sold out what choice do they have.

9 Million units in a weekend, truly amazing. I upgraded last year from a 3G to the 5, so I really have no desire to go to the 5S though a faster processor is nice and as a develper playing around with the fingerprint stuff can be interesting, and I like what the fingerprint stuff could mean for mobile ecommerce, so getting up to speed on that front I could justify and expense the 5S if I really wanted to, but will just wait until next upgrade cycle... but I will likely buy the new iPad when they come out next month.