Apple Makes About Half As Much With Each iPad Than It Does With iPhone

By

Could this be a result of patent infringement?
Could this be a result of patent infringement?

During the period of April 2010 and March 2012, gross margins on iPhone sales in the US ran 49 to 58 percent. Gross margins on iPad sales during the same period were much lower, according to a court filing in the Samsung vs Apple patent dispute that begins in earnest on Monday, scheduled to take place in U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, called Apple Inc v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd et al, 11-1846.

The filing was unveiled today in a statement by an Apple expert witness, though Apple has declined to comment on the filing itself.

According to the documentation, Apple had gross margins of 23 to 32 percent on US iPad sales, or about half of what it makes on iPhones, between October 2010 and March 2012. In contrast to Apple’s typical stance of not commenting on individual products, the Cupertino-based company had to disclose that these iPad sales generated a revenue of more than $13 billion.

Compare that with US iPhone sales sales between April 2010 and the end of March 2012, which generated a revenue of over $33 billion for Apple, a $20 billion difference. Apple is seeking a little over $2.5 billion in damages. With numbers like the above, the amount of Apple’s monetary claim makes a little more sense.

If the court finds this to be evidence of the impact any patent infringement might have had on Apple by Samsung, the Korean-based company may well find itself in some monetary hot water.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.