iPhone sales down, but beat forecasts

Apple has reported a second consecutive quarter of falling iPhone sales, although not as grave as analysts had feared.

The US tech giant sold 40.4 million iPhones in its third quarter, which results in a 15% drop. However, this was slightly above forecasts of 40.02 million.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook said the results reflected "stronger customer demand... than we anticipated".

According to the BBC, Apple expects sales to fall again in the fourth quarter to between $45.5 billion (€41.4 billion) and $47.5 billion (€43.21 billion).

Demand for iPhones has been on the decline since the second quarter when the firm reported the first drop sales since the 2007 iPhone launch.

The iPhone makes up around two-thirds of Apple's sales and accounts for even more of its profits.

The slowdown in iPhone sales sent profit down 27% to $7.8 billion (€7.10 billion) in the three months to 25 June, while revenues fell 14.6% to $42.4 billion (€38.57 billion).

Apple's sales in Greater China - defined by the company as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan - plunged 33%.

The firm blamed economic uncertainty and people not upgrading their phones as often for the drop.

China accounts for almost a quarter of Apple's sales, more than all of Europe combined.

"It is very clear that there are some signs of economic slowdown in China, and we will have to work through them.

"We understand China well and we remain very, very optimistic about the future there," said Apple chief financial officer Luca Maestri.