According to new research from Counterpoint, Apple took home a massive 86 percent of total handset market profits for the fourth quarter of 2017.
Most impressive of all is the fact that the iPhone X, which was slammed as being too expensive, earned 5x the combined profits of more than 600 Android device makers. Maybe that $1,000 price tag wasn’t such a mistake after all!
“Apple grew 1 percent year-on-year even with the iPhone X being available for only two months in Q4 2017,” research analyst Karn Chauhan said in a statement. “The iPhone X alone generated 21 percent of total industry revenue and 35 percent of total industry profits during the quarter.”
Chauhan notes that the share of iPhone X devices is likely to grow as it gets further into its lifecycle. In all, Apple had 8 out of the top 10 smartphones for the quarter, even including phones up to three years old.
Apple and Samsung are leading the way
Unsurprisingly, Apple and Samsung are the two main money makers when it comes to smartphone device makers. Among the up-and-coming Chinese developers, Huawei has seen the biggest boost — with profits increasing 59 percent year-on-year.
That Apple would be number one is no great surprise. It charges a premium for its devices compared to rivals, and isn’t stuck in the race-to-the-bottom that so many Android makers are. Hey, there’s a reason why Apple is set to become a $1 trillion company later this year!
Source: CNBC