iPhone 5C pre-orders "not overwhelming"

Sources from within the US mobile phone market have suggested that the iPhone 5C is not proving a hit with consumers.

Reuters reports that pre-orders for the supposedly budget handset have not been overwhelming” following its availability to pre-order on Friday.

It is also claimed that inventory levels for the new device are unusually low.

Apple may well argue that lack of interest in traditional core markets is due to the fact that its attempted entry into the lower-price sector is targeted toward emerging markets. How successful the 5C will be in such markets, considering its still high asking price, remains to be seen.

It’s not yet known what level of interest is being shown in the high-end iPhone 5S, which only became available to pre-order this week.

Apple’s new iPhone operating system, iOS 7, will be made available to download tonight at 6pm.