Apple CEO Tim Cook told analysts Monday, “I think it’s going to be an iPad Christmas,” based on the new low starting price of iPad minis at $299 plus the launch of an ultra light iPad Air starting next week.
The comment came as Apple reported its September quarter results, with iPhone sales surging 26 percent, setting a new record.
Apple sold 33.8 million iPhones in the recent quarter, compared to 26.9 percent a year ago.
The company also sold 14.1 million iPads compared to 14 million a year ago, which surpassed Apple expectations as it is preparing to ship new tablets.
Cook continued to assert that Apple will enter completely new product categories, but would not state when. He said Apple’s “incredible app eco system” as well as its software, hardware and services that are “unique” can be applied to other product categories. “We obviously believe we can use our skills of building other great products in categories where we do not participate today.”
Cook explained the new iPhone 5C, which launched at the same time as the iPhone 5S recently, was not intended as a low end phone but as a mid-priced phone, while the 4S became the low end of the iPhone spectrum.
Apple posted quarterly revenue of $37.5 billion, up 4 percent up from $36 billion a year ago, but net profit fell to $7.5 billion from $8.2 billion a year ago.
Source: Apple
Get the news before your competitors do. CEoutlook is the daily brief read by over 6,500 dealers, reps and manufacturers across the mobile electronics industry. Subscribe free.
