Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:32 pm
Apple said a surge in iPhone sales worldwide resulted in record-high fourth-quarter profits, a day before the company is expected to unveil its new tablet computer.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said it sold 8.7 million iPhones last quarter -- more than double from a year ago -- but below some analysts' expectations of 9 million shipments.
Overall, it posted a quarterly profit of $3.4 billion, up from $2.3 billion a year earlier, while revenue climbed to $15.7 billion from $11.9 billion.
"We're thrilled to report our best quarter ever," said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple's chief financial officer.
Apple is widely expected to unveil the iPad, its new tablet computer featuring a 10- to 11-inch touch screen and a virtual keyboard, at an event tomorrow.
Sources say the device will let users browse the Web, listen to music, watch movies and television shows and also read e-books and newspapers and may start selling in March for as much as $1,000.
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