Apple hits record iPhone sales without launching a new base model

Apple set a record for iPhone sales even without putting a new base model in stores. In its fiscal fourth-quarter results, released on Monday, the company reported US$ 57.58 billion in iPhone revenue, up 17% from the same period last year.

The result is surprising because this year's refresh broke with the usual pattern. Instead of updating the entire lineup, Apple bet on its most expensive devices, and consumers responded by buying Pro models even with higher prices across the board. For those following the market in the US, it is a sign that the top of the line is now carrying the quarter on its own.

Pro only in the September refresh

The revenue jump came after the launch of the iPhone 18 line in September, which included a pricier iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. At the same time, Apple also raised prices on older models that remained on sale, which helped lift the average selling price in the quarter.

The company also introduced its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, but pre-order sales were not included in this quarterly report. In other words, the record was achieved without help from the foldable, relying only on the strength of the traditional lineup and Pro models.

Expensive memory and limited stock

Like other manufacturers, Apple faces supply-chain bottlenecks and rising memory costs, which helped push product prices higher. In the case of the foldable, supply was restricted: Apple had only a "limited" number of iPhone Duo units in stores at launch, with some estimated delivery dates slipping into 2027.

We saw higher memory costs as compared to the June quarter, and that was partly offset by the benefit of carrying inventory and lower costs on non-memory components,

John Ternus, Apple CEO, in an interview with CNBC

Mac up, iPad down

Overall, Apple's revenue grew 12% to US$ 114.5 billion. The Mac business advanced 24% to US$ 10.79 billion, while the services division, which includes App Store commissions and subscriptions such as Apple TV and Apple Music, reached US$ 31.57 billion. iPad revenue, meanwhile, fell 10% year over year to US$ 6.23 billion.

Apple also reshuffled other parts of its catalog in recent weeks. It made a strong bet on the smart home, with its first connected-home display and a line of video doorbells, security cameras and locks, built in collaboration with LG and Schneider Electric. Last week, the company also unveiled a MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, a design decision its executives had resisted for years.

In practice, for buyers, the message is straightforward: Apple managed to charge more for Pro iPhones and older models and still sell more. And with pricier memory and tight supply of the foldable, the trend toward high prices is likely to continue in upcoming launches, making the choice of model and upgrade timing even more important for your wallet.