iPhone 3G S could have exceeded launch weekend expectations

Anyone just returning from a round trip to Pluto might not have heard that the iPhone hardware updates, the 3G S, launched last Friday. Despite an ongoing argument between loyal customers and cash-starved service providers, it seems launch weekend sales could be very close to those Apple enjoyed last year with the release of the iPhone 3G.

O2 has stated that by lunchtime on launch day it had sold more iPhone 3G S units than it did during the whole day when the previous model was released.

There are no official sales figures in yet, although AT&T has been speaking of a similar success (especially when pre-orders are taken into account) and reports that new iPhone 3G S owners are experiencing activation delays could actually be quite promising for Apple.

Obviously it's not the best foot to get off on with new customers, but given that Apple sold around a million iPhone 3G units this time last year, it seems reasonable to expect it was prepared for a similar strain on its system this year.

Admittedly the 3.0 software update could well be adding to this strain, and causing some of the activation delays with the new handsets, but it's just as possible that launch weekend sales of the iPhone 3G S have exceeded everyone's expectations - including Apple's.

As soon as we get some official sales reports in, we'll let you know. And we'd also like to hear from you in the comments section below if you were lucky enough to land the new iPhone model this weekend.