Apple released its Q4 2015 financial results a few hours ago. Looking at the headline figures, for the period ending 26th September, the Cupertino-based firm has done extremely well boasting of a record fourth quarter revenue of $51.5bn, and net profit of $11.1bn. A year ago its Q4 results showed revenue of $42.1 billion, and net profit of $8.5 billion. International sales brought in over 60 per cent of Apple's revenue.
Apple's Q4 2015 results, highlighted in yellow
Looking back over the whole year Apple CEO Tim Cook stated "Fiscal 2015 was Apple’s most successful year ever, with revenue growing 28 per cent to nearly $234 billion. 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."
Apple's results statement said the record results were thanks to "record fourth quarter sales of iPhone, the expanded availability of Apple Watch, and all-time records for Mac sales and revenue from services". A BBC report put most of Apple's success down to the iPhone and its sales numbers in China in particular. Compared to a year ago Apple has nearly doubled its iPhone sales in China, with $12.52bn worth sold in the most recent quarter.
Still on the subject of iPhones, Tim Cook said the conversion rate from Android users is now the highest ever; as many as 30 per cent of new iPhone users left Google's smartphone platform behind.
iPad sales continue to decline, though some analysts think the new iPad Pro might help put the brakes on the downturn. Mac computers look like they are capable of filling the void left by iPad sales, especially with their high value and margins.
Unfortunately Apple shied away from revealing specific details concerning the Apple Watch, we just heard that it did better this quarter thanks to expanded availability. The revenue generated by the 'other products' category, of which it is part, did experience a 15 per cent sequential and 61 per cent increase year on year.