iPhone 6s sales break records, says Apple, with more than 13 million sold in the first weekend

The phone went on sale in many countries on Friday, and will be rolling out in other countries next month

Apple has sold more of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus than any iPhone before that, setting a new record of 13 million handsets sold in their first weekend.

Even before they launched on Friday, Apple said that it was expecting the iPhone 6s to smash through the sales of its predecessor, the iPhone 6. That phone was already by far the biggest-selling iPhone.

Some had worried that Apple might struggle to replicate the success of the 6, because it had such a sales boost from people buying what was Apple’s first very big phone. But for the first time this year, Apple started selling the phones in China on their launch weekend, which likely gave a big boost to sales.

“Sales for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have been phenomenal, blowing past any previous first weekend sales results in Apple’s history,” Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said in a statement. “Customers’ feedback is incredible and they are loving 3D Touch and Live Photos, and we can’t wait to bring iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus to customers in even more countries on October 9.”

The iPhone launched in many of Apple’s biggest markets on Friday. But it will be sold in 40 more countries from October 9 — including big markets like Russia — and will be on sale in over 130 places by the end of the year.