Skip to main content

Apple hits new heights with increased iPhone sales, iPad continues to slump

apple encryption court order news logo
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Apple has announced another record quarter earlier today, releasing financial results for the fourth quarter of the fiscal 2015 year, ending on Sept 26.

The Cupertino-based tech giant reported 28 percent annual revenue growth to $238 billion. In the fourth quarter, it reported $51.5 billion in revenue and a net profit of $11.1 billion, a large improvement over the $42.1 billion in revenue and $8.5 billion in net profit the company reported for the corresponding period last year. To put that in perspective, Apple’s revenue matches the GDP of Greece, the 44th largest economy in the world.

“This continued success is the result of our commitment to making the best, most innovative products on earth, and it’s a testament to the tremendous execution by our teams,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are heading into the holidays with our strongest product lineup yet.”

In the report, Apple estimates $75.5 to $77.5 billion in revenue next year, 40 percent gross margin, $6.3 to $6.4 billion in operating expenses, and $400 million in “other” expenses.

The iPhone continues to be the breadwinner for Apple, but the company also reported an increase in Apple Watch and Mac sales, alongside more App Store purchases. The iPad remains a sore point on the company’s portfolio, though, as it continues to decline in sales.

The iPad Pro might be able to fix some of the decline, but the 12.9-inch tablet is focused on professional users, not regular consumers. Cook said in an interview earlier this year that iPad owners were hanging onto their tablets for much longer periods, compared to their iPhones, which is why sales are in decline.

Apple reported that 62 percent of its sales came from countries outside of the United States. China played a large part in the growth of international sales, but the company is struggling to reach the top spot in that country, with Huawei currently holding the throne.

Next year, Apple wants to engage customers in India and start sales in Iran. It is working with Foxconn and other energy suppliers in China to build huge solar farms, capable of powering all manufacturing lines by 2020.

Editors' Recommendations

David Curry
Former Digital Trends Contributor
David has been writing about technology for several years, following the latest trends and covering the largest events. He is…
iOS 17.5 just launched with a huge security feature for your iPhone
Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max seen from the back.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus (left) and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Apple has just released the iOS 17.5 update for iPhones, which brings a host of new features. For European Union residents, it enables Web Distribution, which means you can sideload apps from the internet and won’t be limited to the App Store.

Read more
Apple’s new iPads look amazing, but there’s one big problem
Renders of the 11-inch and 13-inch models of the iPad Pro 2024.

After a year-long drought, Apple finally released some new iPads during its Let Loose event on May 7. Though it was just the iPad Air and iPad Pro models that were updated, we did get a 13-inch option for the iPad Air along with the standard 11-inch size, as well as iPad Pros with new OLED displays.

The iPad Airs now come equipped with an M2 chip inside, while the iPad Pros mark the debut of the new M4 chip. Exciting stuff, right? Unfortunately, as enticing as the hardware is, there is still one thing holding the iPad back -- and it's all Apple's fault.
Exciting new hardware, boring old software
iPad Air 2024 Apple

Read more
5 phones you should buy instead of the iPhone 15 Plus
A person holding the Apple iPhone 15 Plus.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The iPhone 15 Plus has all the features that people love in an iPhone 15, but with a larger screen. However, there might be some reasons why you may not want to purchase it — such as its price and the fact that it lacks some features compared to the iPhone 15 Pro series.

Read more