Apple iPhones 5S, 5C Go Global, Arriving in More Than 25 Countries This Week

In its plan for iPhone domination, Apple brings its phone to more countries.

ByABC News
October 9, 2013, 11:54 AM
Staff help customers with the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5C models inside Apple's store in Causeway Bay district, Sept. 20, 2013 in Hong Kong.
Staff help customers with the new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5C models inside Apple's store in Causeway Bay district, Sept. 20, 2013 in Hong Kong.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images

Oct. 9, 2013 — -- Apple's plan for iPhone global domination kicks into high gear this week. The company is expanding the reach of the iPhone 5s and 5c as both phones go on sale in 25 more countries, including Italy, Russia, Austria and Spain, on Friday

While the new iPhones launched on Sept. 20 in nine countries, including the U.S., Canada, China and France, Apple's SVP of Marketing Phil Schiller said at the launch event that it planned to bring the phones to 100 countries by the end of the year. On Nov. 1, the phones will go on sale in more countries, including India and Mexico.

While the iPhone 5s and 5c hit the U.S. market first, many people who stood in line for the phones told ABC News that they planned to take them back to their home countries, where they weren't available. Others told us that they planned to ship the phones to family members.

The iPhone 5s, which has the new fingerprint sensor and improved camera and processor, has been said to be the most popular of the two new phones. The 5c, which comes in a selection of colors, was recently discounted to $50 with a two-year contract at U.S. retailers, including Walmart and Best Buy.

Apple has not disclosed how many iPhone 5s or 5cs have been sold since the launch, but it did reveal that 9 million phones were sold in the first weekend. In 2012, Apple sold 26.9 million iPhones in the fourth quarter. Some analysts estimate that Apple will beat that number in 2012, with Pacific Crest analyst Andy Hargreaves projecting sales of 31 million phones this quarter, and Morgan Stanley predicting sales of 34.5 million phones. Apple plans to announce its official earnings and numbers on Oct. 28.

But before that day, Apple is expected to debut its new iPads. According to a report from All Things D, the company will hold an event on Oct. 22 to announce the new iPads, which are expected to be thinner, lighter and faster.