Apple Inc. said it sold a total of three million iPads in the three days since Friday, when it launched the new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad.

This was double the first weekend sales of 1.5 million for Wi-Fi only models for the third generation iPad sold in March, Apple said on Monday.

"Demand for iPad mini exceeded the initial supply and while many of the pre-orders have been shipped to customers, some are scheduled to be shipped later this month," Apple said.

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"We're working hard to build more quickly to meet the incredible demand," CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.

The 7.9-inch iPad mini marks Apple's first foray into the smaller-tablet segment, and is the company's first major new device since the death of co-founder Steve Jobs last year.

Apple shares were up nearly 1 percent at $582.27 in trading before the bell.