Apple's Q3 2025 Earnings Call Takeaways: AI Growth, 3 Billionth iPhone Shipped - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple's Q3 2025 Earnings Call Takeaways: AI Growth, 3 Billionth iPhone Shipped

Apple held an earnings call for the third fiscal quarter (second calendar quarter) of 2025 today, beating expectations with revenue of $94 billion. During the call, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Kevan Parekh shared insights into device sales, tariffs, and more.

Apple Logo Cash Feature Yellow

iPhone Popularity

The iPhone 16 models were more popular than the iPhone 15 models were last year. Cook said that ‌iPhone 16‌ sales increased "strong double digits" compared to the iPhone 15, with the ‌iPhone 16‌ popular with users upgrading to a new model.

Apple set a June quarter record for upgraders, and Cook said that was because of the "strength of the product."

Apple recently shipped its 3 billionth iPhone since the device debuted in 2007.

AI

Cook said that Apple is "very open" to an acquisition that would accelerate its AI development roadmap. AI is "one of the most profound technologies of our lifetime," Cook said, adding that Apple is "significantly growing" its investments and reallocating people to work on AI at the company. "We're putting all of our energy behind it," Cook said.

"We're not stuck on a certain size company," Cook added during the call. "We basically ask ourselves whether a company can help us accelerate a road map, if if they do, then we're interested, but we don't have anything to share specifically today."

Cook also said that Apple is "making good progress" on developing a more personalized version of Siri that is powered by Apple Intelligence. Apple is on track to release the features next year.

Cook was asked whether large language models like ChatGPT could be a commodity in the future. Cook declined to talk speak on he subject because "that gives away some things in our strategy."

The way that we look at AI is that it's one of the most profound technologies of our lifetime, and I think it will affect all devices in a significant way. What pieces of the chain are commoditized and not commoditized? I wouldn't want to really talk about today, because that gives away some things on our strategy.

Tariffs

According to Cook, approximately one percentage point of Apple's 10 percent sales growth can be attributed to customers buying more products to get ahead of tariffs.

"We saw evidence in the early part of the quarter, specifically, of some pull-ahead related to the tariff announcements," Cook told Reuters.

Cook said that tariffs cost the company $800 million in the June quarter, and that the impact could be $1.1 billion in the September quarter.

To mitigate tariffs in the future, Apple is optimizing its supply chain, and Cook said the company "will do more in the United States."

Post iPhone Devices

Cook was asked about AI development and what Apple would do if dependence on screens diminishes. Cook said that it's "difficult to see a world where iPhone's not living in it."

He said that Apple is "thinking about other things," but those future devices are likely to be "complementary devices" not substitutions.

Services

Services revenue was $27.4 billion, up from $24.2 billion in the year-ago quarter, marking an all-time revenue record. Apple TV+ viewership was up strong double digits year over year.

App Store revenue grew double digits year over year, and cloud services also saw an all-time revenue record. Paid accounts and paid subscriptions grew double digits year over year, and Apple has "well over a billion" paid subscriptions across services.

Popular Stories

iphone 16 teal

'Siri AI' Lawsuit Update: Apple to Pay Owners of These iPhone Models

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:08 am PDT by
In May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over Siri AI's delayed launch, and eligible iPhone users could receive up to a $95 payout. This week, the California court overseeing the case held a hearing regarding preliminary approval of the settlement, but the judge has not yet issued a ruling. It will likely be at least a few more months before eligible...
Apple TV Thumb 3

Everything Coming in the 2026 Apple TV 4K

Wednesday July 8, 2026 4:51 pm PDT by
The Apple TV 4K hasn't been updated since 2022, and it's due for a refresh. An update is planned for 2026, but Apple is likely going to wait to launch it after Siri AI launches in iOS 27. Design Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing. The next Apple TV is going to have the same squircle shape as the current model, and it'll continue to be made from a black...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 6 U.S. States

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:29 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards,...

Top Rated Comments

Justin Cymbal Avatar
12 months ago
Does the person who purchased the 3rd billionth iPhone get an iTunes gift card? Like what they do with the App Store:

https://www.macrumors.com/2013/05/16/apple-announces-winner-of-app-stores-50-billionth-download-contest/
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 months ago
8.2 billion people on this planet and 3 billion I-Phones shipped. Whew.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 months ago


Apple recently shipped its 3 billionth iPhone since the device debuted in 2007.

So my purchases account for 0.000000001%.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
12 months ago
I can't even fathom 3 billion iPhones. That's just an insane number. It's a good thing Steve Jobs didn't listen to Michael Dell's advice. ;)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 months ago
Apple will be passing these tariffs onto its customers because that's what tariffs are -- a tax on consumers.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DownUnderDan Avatar
12 months ago

So my purchases account for 0.000000001%.
True, but you were the decider. A billion of us wouldn't have pulled the trigger without your leadership. I don't think you get the thanks you deserve. Certainly an iTunes gift card should be making its way to you. :)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)