Apple posts record Q1 figures

Apple has surpassed Wall Street’s expectations after doubling its year-on-year profit from iPhones, iPads and Macs for the first quarter of 2012.

The company posted revenue of $46.33bn, with a net profit of $13.06bn for the quarter, which ended December 31, 2011. The net profit figure exceeded rival Google’s entire revenue for the same period, in which the search giant recorded sales of just over $10bn.

Meanwhile, Apple’s revenue for the quarter increased by almost 75 per cent from the $26.74bn it recorded in 1Q11, and the quarter generated double the net profit of $6bn Apple recorded in the same quarter a year ago.

The figures were impacted by the latest update to its flagship iPhone device. The handset is usually launched in June each year, but the latest version was delayed, not entering the market until October 2011, and therefore impacted the 1Q12.

The company revealed that it sold over 37m iPhones in the quarter – a 128 per cent increase in units shipped in the same quarter last year, and it also sold over 15m iPads during the quarter – a 111 per cent unit increase over the 1Q11.

It also sold 5.2m Mac computers during the quarter – 26 per cent more than the same period a year ago, and 15.4m iPods – a 21 per cent decline in units sold in 1Q11.

“We’re thrilled with our outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

He added that the firm has some “amazing new products in the pipeline”. Apple is expected to launch its Apple TV offering this year, as well as a new version of the iPhone.