Apple’s greater China revenues approach a record US$10 billion
iPhones, iPads and a deal with China Mobile keep Apple performance high in China
Apple convened with shareholders for its latest quarterly earnings call last night, during which the company revealed it generated revenues of US$45.6 billion over the three month period, with 9.8 billion coming from the greater China region, including Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In what Apple CEO Tim Cook called the company's strongest non-holiday quarter ever, sales for iPhones and Macs exceeded expectations predicted by global research firm IDC.
iPhone sales increased 28 per cent from the previous quarter, far over IDC’s estimated 20 per cent, while Mac sales were up 13 per cent, way above IDC’s estimated negative eight per cent.
In January of this year, Apple partnered with China Mobile to make its iPhone devices, including the recently launched 5S and 5C, available for subsidy when purchased with calling and data plan bundles.
“The addition of China Mobile coupled with great response to our more affordably priced iPhone 4S led to an all time quarterly record for iPhone sales in Greater China,” said Apple CFO Luca Maestri in the earnings call. “We look forward to broadening our relationship with China Mobile as they expand points of sale and continue to build out their 4G network.”