A CNBC report claims that Apple has received more than 3.4M pre-orders for the iPhone SE through retailers in China. The report says that gold was the most popular color, accounting for 1.3M orders, with rose gold close behind at 1.2M. If the numbers are correct, adding in orders direct from Apple and in other countries could see some very impressive sales numbers …

The report says that Apple’s decision to push sales through pre-orders was partly to reduce the huge queues that have been seen outside retail stores for previous launches. The disruption caused by these was said to have angered many, some even throwing eggs at stores.

Scalpers seem to be the only ones unhappy with the arrangements. For the iPhone 6, they were demanding a premium of $300 for a launch-day phone, while they are reportedly unable to charge more than a $30 premium for the lower-cost SE.

Apple doesn’t generally break down sales numbers by models, and we’ll likely have to wait until next week before we hear any official numbers for iPhone sales, wtih the SE going on sale in stores on Thursday.

You can see how the SE compares to the rest of the line-up, and you’ll also be able to find out how both Zac and I get on with our iPhone SEs once we get our hands on them later this week.

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