One million new iPhones sold in just three days

NEW YORK - Apple reported that it had sold more than one million next-generation iPhone 3GS in just three days, defying some analysts who had predicted it would not reach the levels attained during its predecessor's launch.

"Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning," chief executive Steve Jobs said in a written statement.

He said over one million iPhone 3GS models had been sold through Sunday and six million customers have downloaded the new iPhone 3.0 software in the first five days since its release.

"With over 50,000 applications available from Apple's revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever," Jobs said.

The iPhone 3GS went on sale in the United States on Friday while the software upgrade was released on Wednesday.

Apple recently halved the price of its entry-level iPhone to US$99 and rolled out the next-generation model for US$199 to US$299, looking to sustain the momentum for its popular smart phone amid the recession and fresh competition.

Steady streams of customers into Apple stores since the iPhone's unveiling on Friday suggested consumer interest in the iconic smart phone remains high since the first version was released roughly two years ago, despite increasing competition from Research In Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry and Palm's (PALM) recently introduced Pre.