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.
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
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_
