Visible's findings echoed an undercurrent of disappointment from bloggers, news reports and some analysts last week, who were most dissatisfied by Apple's decision not to bump up the screen size of the iPhone or support the faster LTE networks being built in the U.S. by AT&T and Verizon.

"This was a great upgrade if people weren't waiting for a rabbit to come out of the hat," said Gottheil.

Brian White, an analyst with Ticonderoga Securities, agreed that the sales numbers put to rest the idea that the iPhone 4S wasn't up to snuff.

"While the unveiling of the iPhone 4S received a muted response, both from the market and tech blogs, the customers have the final word, in our view, and they have spoken with resounding enthusiasm for the iPhone 4S," said White in a note to clients.

Last week, White had called the initial thumbs-down take on the iPhone 4S "superficial" and a "knee-jerk reaction" by the market and Apple advocates.