Apple yesterday said it had sold more than 13 million iPhone 6S and 6S Plus smartphones during their first weekend on the market, setting a record for its marquee product.

The company surpassed its previous record of 10 million in sales for the previous generation of iPhones in its first weekend in 2014. This year's sales results benefited from the inclusion of the Chinese market, where regulatory problems delayed the gadget's debut last year.

Analysts had expected the company to sell 12 million to 13 million phones this past weekend.

"Customers' feedback is incredible, and they are loving 3D Touch and Live Photos," Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said in a statement. "We can't wait to bring iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus to customers in even more countries on October 9."

Analysts had said Apple was virtually assured to set a new record for iPhone sales with the inclusion of China, which many expect will soon be the company's largest market.

But the figures announced yesterday suggest Apple's iPhone sales were up overall, said FBR Capital Markets senior analyst Daniel Ives. He said the sales figures should ease investors' concerns about how Apple will fare amid economic turmoil in China.

"Demand out of China looks white-hot," Ives said.

Moor Insight & Strategy analyst Patrick Moorhead said the sales figures also suggested Apple seized some market share from Samsung Electronics Co, its chief rival in the smartphone market.

Apple said the new iPhones would be available in more than 40 additional markets starting October 9, reaching more than 130 countries and regions by the end of the year.

Apple sells over 13m new iPhones at weekend