Apple phone sales disappoint

Most smartphone manufacturers would die to produce phone sales of 26 million in any quarter of the year but Apple sales of the IPhone for their third quarter, came in 2 million short of analysts expectations in numbers and the overall profit of US$8.8 billion was also lower than average forecasts.

Apple watchers are a little worried by the slower growth in Apple sales but with a new Iphone model expected in time for the Christmas market they should have a strong finish in their financial year.

The Ipad with lower profit margins than the Iphone, had sales of 17 million units in the period, 2 million better than the general consensus, despite a feeling that the IPad 3 wasn't that different from the Ipad 2, but the Apple loyalists will pay for the faster processor and improved picture clarity.

Apple shares that have soared by nearly 50% over the last year fell by 6% on the news.