Apple said it expects first-weekend sales of its new iPhone 6S will exceed last year's debut of 10 million units, after seeing "very strong" preorders since Saturday.

The company said the larger iPhone 6S Plus had sold out online, with demand particularly strong in China. The sales will send a message to those on Wall Street who doubted the company could still increase smartphone sales after a bumper year.

Shares in the group tumbled nearly 22 per cent between mid-July and late August over concerns about the iPhone’s growth outlook amid economic uncertainty in China, its most important growth market. But Apple’s stock opened 2.3 per cent higher on Monday as investors cheered its sales forecast.

In a change to last year’s launch schedule, Apple is taking preorders in China at the same time as the rest of its largest markets, which analysts say is likely to boost initial demand.

The latest iPhones, with a “3D Touch” screen, upgraded camera and faster processor, as well as a new “rose-gold” finish option, will be released in 12 markets on September 25th.

“We are on pace to beat last year’s 10 million unit first-weekend record when the new iPhones go on sale,” Apple said.

Apple declined to say how many of the latest iPhones had been ordered. – ( Financial Times)