Over 600,000 iPhone 4 Preorders Placed, Sets New Apple Record

In the aftermath of yesterday's iPhone 4 pre-order debacle, Apple has issued a statement claiming that – despite connectivity issues – more than 600,000 handsets were purchased ahead of the smartphone's June 24th debut.  That makes it, Apple claims, "the largest number of pre-orders Apple has ever taken in a single day" and "far higher" than they anticipated.

Those wildfire sales, Apple says, resulted in "many order and approval system malfunctions".  As for those unable to get their order through, the company can only apologise and hope they head down to their nearest store on launch day when there'll hopefully be some – limited – stock.  Apple is yet to comment on the apparent AT&T iPhone customer security breach.

Statement by Apple on iPhone 4 Pre-Orders

CUPERTINO, Calif., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Yesterday Apple and its carrier partners took pre-orders for more than 600,000 of Apple's new iPhone 4. It was the largest number of pre-orders Apple has ever taken in a single day and was far higher than we anticipated, resulting in many order and approval system malfunctions. Many customers were turned away or abandoned the process in frustration. We apologize to everyone who encountered difficulties, and hope that they will try again or visit an Apple or carrier store once the iPhone 4 is in stock.