iPad Sales Approach Record 25 Million in Q1 2014

Apple will release its 1Q 2014 (covering the Christmas season) sales results on 27 January. Speculations on sales numbers have been investigated by analysts, and many postulate that the iPad sold 25 million units during the quarter. This is in addition to the iPhone’s record-breaking estimate of 55 million. Philip Elmer-Dewitt of Fortune predicted in a report published today that iPad sales grew 10% year-over-year (since 1Q 2013) to 24.6 million based on professional estimates, correlating with the 25 million public prediction.

The average estimate among all the analysts is 25 million iPads, up 10% from the same quarter last year.  The indies, as usual, are a bit more bullish than the pros. As a group, they’re looking for 16% growth, compared with the Street’s 8%. Unless they’ve updated their numbers, four sell-side analysts — Cowan’s Timothy Arcuri, Credit Suisse’s Kulbinder Garcha, Citi’s Glen Yeung and CLSA’s Avi Silver — still expect Apple to report a drop in iPad sales.

The iPad Air was a top selling gadget during many major retailers’ quarter, accounting for 18% of all sales on Black Friday at Target and being a top seller at Walmart. Apple will announce the sales results (along with financial information) during an earnings call on 27 January 2014 after US markets close.