Apple recently launched its 4-inch iPhone SE and started taking pre-orders for the device in 13 countries Thursday, March 24, 2016. After discontinuing 4-inch-screen models for iPhones in 2014, Apple has received mixed reactions to the latest entry in the company's product portfolio. But the unofficial pre-order figures in China reveal the iPhone SE is making quite an impact in the world's largest smartphone market.

CNBC cited data gathered from local vendors to report Monday the initial pre-order figures for the iPhone SE in China exceeded 3.4 million. The report found the gold variant of the iPhone SE the most popular choice for buyers in China, and the new rose gold option a close second.

It is worth mentioning the pre-order figures in China are not actual orders where customers pay for the device before getting their delivery. There is a possibility that the 3.4 million orders received in China may not convert to actual purchases as it only shows the number of potential buyers interested in the new iPhone, who might change their mind later, Gadgets360 pointed out.

Even so, 3.4 million reservations for the iPhone SE is quite an impressive figure, but it remains to be seen how many of those orders convert into actual sales.

Apple started taking pre-orders for its iPhone SE and 9.7-inch iPad Pro in 13 select markets around the world, which include key markets in North America, Europe and Asia. Apple is expected to expand the availability of the iPhone SE and the iPad Pro to another 47 countries in April.

The iPhone SE is the cheapest smartphone in Apple's line-up as of now, and is potentially targeted towards emerging markets like India, China, Brazil and Russia. Apple's latest iPhone could attract some first-time customers, who had been sceptical to join Apple's fan club due to the premium pricing of its flagship smartphones.

In India, the iPhone SE will be available April 8 onwards, starting at Rs 39,000. The new iPhone makes a compelling offer to those who got on board with Apple for its compact screen size, even though rivals started the trend of big-screen phones. In terms of specifications, the iPhone SE is more like an iPhone 6s with an A9 processor, an M9 co-processor, a 12MP iSight camera with 4K support, a 1.2MP FaceTime camera, improved Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and Apple Pay support with Touch ID sensor.

Investors have predicted Apple's net sales would jump an additional 10-15 million this year, Apple Insider reported.