Apple has sold more than 5m iPhone 5 handsets since its launch three days ago and more than 100m older devices have already been updated to iOS 6.

This beats Apples previous sales record of 4m, set by the iPhone 4S over the weekend after it was released last October. It also smashes the software upgrade total set at the same time, where just (just!) 25m handsets had been updated to iOS 5 five days after its release.

Demand has exceeded the initial supply so some pre-orders have been scheduled to be shipped in October.

The device is available now in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK, and will be on-sale in 22 more countries on 28 September. By the end of the 2012, it will be on offer in 100 countries.

“Demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

“While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough iPhone 5s for everyone.”

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