Record pre-order sales for iPhone 5

Pre-orders of Apple’s new iPhone 5 topped two million in just 24 hours of trading, more than doubling the past record of the previous model.

The world’s most valuable company made the announcement as the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever eclipsed the previous record of one million held by iPhone 4S.

Such excitement drove Apple’s stock to new heights, as shares of the company sky-rocketed past US$700 in after-hours trading on Monday after initially closing at $699.80.

“iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S and the customer response to iPhone 5 has been phenomenal,” says Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet, the most beautiful product we’ve ever made, and we hope customers love it as much as we do.”

The new release comes with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new user features accessed through a new 4-inch Retina display, an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance and ultrafast wireless technology including better battery life.

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