BEIJING, Oct. 17 -- Apple Inc began delivering its popular iPhone6 and iPhone6 Plus handsets to the Chinese mainland on Friday.

Customers can buy the smartphones from Apple's online and retail stores as well as authorized retailers, including telecommunications companies and online home appliance companies such as JD.com.

The retail prices of iPhone6 and iPhone6 Plus vary from 5,288 yuan (861 U.S. dollars) to 7,999 yuan for different models.

The authorized release once again ignited iPhone fever in the company's largest potential market as media reports said the number of orders has exceeded 20 million after pre-orders started on Oct. 10.

Apple released the iPhone6 and iPhone6 Plus in the Chinese mainland one month after its global debut.