Apple is set to report its financial results this afternoon for Q1 2015, a three-month period spanning October through December that directly followed the launch of the highly-anticipated iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Despite offering guidance of between $63.5 to $66.5 billion in total sales, many analysts are predicting that Apple outpaced those numbers in what could amount to a record-breaking quarter.
Fortune has averaged the estimates of 35 analysts, including 20 professionals and 15 amateurs, and determined that expectations are for Apple to report earnings of $2.68 per share, a nearly 30% year-over-year increase, and revenue of $68.7 billion, about a 20% increase from the year-ago quarter and $2.2 billion higher than Apple's high-end forecast.
The first quarter has historically been the most lucrative for Apple, as the company typically launches new or refreshed products in the fall ahead of the busy holiday shopping season. Apple has posted record-breaking first quarter earnings results for over a decade, a span in which it announced several iconic products such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Analysts believe that Q1 2015 will be a home run for Apple on the strength of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The larger screen sizes of the new smartphones were a major draw for many existing iPhone users looking to upgrade, and enough of a reason for some Android users to make the switch. Apple also launched a few other noteworthy products in the quarter, including the iMac with Retina 5K Display and new iPads.
MacRumors will be providing live coverage of Apple's financial results as they are reported around 1:30 PM PT (4:30 PM ET), including the subsequent earnings conference call with CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri at 2 PM PT (5 PM ET). At that time, we'll have a clearer picture of just how well Apple managed to perform in the quarter.
Friday December 12, 2025 10:56 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Macworld's Filipe Espósito today revealed a handful of features that Apple is allegedly planning for iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and even iOS 28.
The report said the features are referenced within the code for a leaked internal build of iOS 26 that is not meant to be seen by the public. However, it appears that Espósito and/or his sources managed to gain access to it, providing us with a sneak peek...
Thursday December 11, 2025 8:49 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon.
Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week.
iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new...
Friday December 12, 2025 10:10 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released iOS 26.2, the second major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.2 comes a little over a month after iOS 26.1 launched. iOS 26.2 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings >...
Thursday December 11, 2025 11:28 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3 and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B30, up from 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 firmware is 8B28, up from 8B21.
There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are getting expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS...
Friday December 12, 2025 10:08 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.2, the second major update to the macOS Tahoe operating system that came out in September. macOS Tahoe 26.2 comes five weeks after Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.1.
Mac users can download the macOS Tahoe update by using the Software Update section of System Settings.
macOS Tahoe 26.2 includes Edge Light, a feature that illuminates your face with soft...
Thursday December 11, 2025 10:31 am PST by Juli Clover
The AirTag 2 will include a handful of new features that will improve tracking capabilities, according to a new report from Macworld. The site says that it was able to access an internal build of iOS 26, which includes references to multiple unreleased products.
Here's what's supposedly coming:
An improved pairing process, though no details were provided. AirTag pairing is already...
Friday December 12, 2025 10:09 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released iPadOS 26.2, the second major update to the iPadOS 26 operating system released in September. iPadOS 26.2 comes a month after iPadOS 26.1.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
iPadOS 26.2 continues with the multitasking improvements that were added with iPadOS 26.1. You can now drag and...
Friday December 12, 2025 11:11 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS 26.2, all of which introduce new features, bug fixes, and security improvements. Apple says that the updates address over 20 vulnerabilities, including two bugs that are known to have been actively exploited.
There are a pair of WebKit vulnerabilities that could allow maliciously crafted web content to execute code or cause memory...
Next iPhone will sell very well, like Samsung smartphones.
Gradually the fad will pass simply because there is no extraordinary (or even plain ordinary) leadership at Apple.
Have a specific timeline in mind Nostradamus? I mean, you could make any open ended prediction which will eventually come true. Like someone in 2003 predicting the iPod would stop being Apple's most popular product "someday".
Apple's USP is not the hardware, it's the software with an easy to use UI and integrated App/iTunes Store making it simple to purchase everything from songs to apps to books to games.
I agree with you in spirit, but I actually think Apple has some pretty nice hardware too. Their custom SoC's, which they don't *have* to make, have tended to raise the bar for the rest of the industry almost every year since the A5.
LOL.
I base my predictions on the following:
1) Soldered RAM - to cause premature obsolescence to keep sales from declining.
2) GUI that is out of control - attention to detail and perfection is gone
3) Bad releases - buggy updates and constant upgrades that bring limited value but destroy perfect things that should have been left alone.
4) Neglected base - 2015 MacMini that is slower than it was 3 years ago. Showcase software (Aperture and Final Cut) abandoned. A Mac Pro impractical format for real business. Server grade hardware and software nonexistent.
5) Stupid acquisitions - Beats, over-the-top new campuses - Spending their inheritance
1) I thought we were talking about the iPhone? But Apple isn't the only one doing soldered RAM in the types of machines Apple is (ultra thin laptops for example). All you have to do anyway is buy the maximum amount. But it costs more? Well Apple has never had a problem charging more and it seems more people, not less, are willing to pay as time goes on...
2) Personal preference. I'll bet you'll find the vast majority of people aren't that concerned with "skeumorphism" or "flat ui" and sit in front of their computer with a magnifying glass.
3) I'll give you that, they had some buggy releases recently... Not sure how that's any different from the Jobs era, though.
4) The 2015 Mac Mini has a slower cpu, but much faster I/O. heh, it actually makes a *better* little server in a lot of ways just because of that. Where was Final Cut abandoned? And why is the Mac Pro "impractical" for "real business"? You have to be more specific than that or it's meaningless.
5) "Spending their inheritance" are you implying they're burning through their cash? Because the total amount keeps increasing every year. They're incredibly thrifty with their money it seems except when it comes to securing huge supplies of "stuff" for their products (ram, displays, etc).
What I am saying is that a large screen is the only thing left to do to an iPhone that has not evolved for 3 years.
The competitive edge is gone, and soon the iPhone will be left to fend for itself. I don't expect anything more from Cook/Ives.
Camera Upgrade? VR? HomeKit + TouchID integration? Ocular tracking? Inductive Charging? Improved AI? Gaming hardware support? OS synthesis?
Just because your design vision is limited does not mean there isn't any more competitive opportunities for the iPhone.
Have a specific timeline in mind Nostradamus? I mean, you could make any open ended prediction which will eventually come true. Like someone in 2003 predicting the iPod would stop being Apple's most popular product "someday".
LOL.
I base my predictions on the following:
1) Soldered RAM - to cause premature obsolescence to keep sales from declining.
2) GUI that is out of control - attention to detail and perfection is gone
3) Bad releases - buggy updates and constant upgrades that bring limited value but destroy perfect things that should have been left alone.
4) Neglected base - 2015 MacMini that is slower than it was 3 years ago. Showcase software (Aperture and Final Cut) abandoned. A Mac Pro impractical format for real business. Server grade hardware and software nonexistent.
5) Stupid acquisitions - Beats, over-the-top new campuses - Spending their inheritance
Look, you want an acid test for how good Cook is going to be? Look at the attention to detail with respect to UI elements if there is in fact a stylus on this new convertible device and how well it fits into the rest of the iOS functionality. That will be 100% something that Steve would make sure is executed not just successfully, but _best in the marketplace_
