That the Apple iPhone is a highly popular device is evident, yet another time, from the fact that Vodafone – which is the fourth network in the UK to run the smartphone, the other three being O2, Orange, and Tesco Mobile – has reported a whopping 100,000 unit sales of the phone in the first week post-release, including pre-orders.

Vodafone, which is expecting a further rise in the sales of the iPhone after it comes on PAYG, said that its iPhone launch announcement brought along 50,000 pre-orders for the device, with another 50,000 in the week after that. 

Talking about the notable sales numbers thus far, Vodafone UK CEO, Guy Laurence, told Pocket-lint: “The demand from both consumer and business customers has been phenomenal. They want an outstanding phone on an outstanding network and we’re delivering that.”

With Vodafone offering the iPhone with a 2-year contract; Pocket-lint has noted that by the time the first Vodafone iPhone contracts come to an end in January 2012, the iPhone 3G will be three-and-a-half years old. Furthermore, at least one new iPhone model will likely hit the markets in June this year.

Meanwhile, some other phones are also scheduled to come to the Vodafone network in the near future – one of them being the Google Nexus One.