Apple logs double-digit growth in iPhone sales

New Delhi: Tech giant Apple registered a double-digit rise in iPhone sales in India and witnessed strong demand for iPads in the December quarter.

The Cupertino-based company posted its highest-ever quarterly revenue at $91.8 billion, an increase of 9 per cent from the year-ago quarter.

Its net profit also hit an all-time high of $22 billion. International sales accounted for 61 per cent of the quarter's revenue. "We had double-digit growth in many developed markets, including the US, the UK, France and Singapore, and also grew double digits in emerging markets led by strong performances in Brazil, Mainland China, India, Thailand, and Turkey," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in an investor call.

He added that revenue from iPhones in the December quarter was up 8 per cent to $56 billion on account of "exceptional demand" for models like iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Apple is placing big bets on the Indian market. Over the past months, it has ramped up its manufacturing efforts in the country. Last year, Apple had started production of iPhone XR in India for domestic market and exports.

Apple's partner Salcomp is also taking over the closed facility of Nokia in a SEZ near Chennai. The facility is expected to become operational from March this year and will produce charger and other equipment.

According to research firm Counterpoint, Apple was one of the fastest-growing brands in India during the December quarter.