Apple blasted past expectations during its recent quarter, thanks largely to overachieving iPhone and Mac sales.  During the three-month period ending September 26th, Apple earned $1.67 billion, or $1.82 a share, up from $1.14 billion, or $1.26 a share during the comparable, year-ago quarter.

That is a ridiculously robust 46.5 percent leap, thanks partly to quarterly sales of 7.4 million iPhones, up 7.2 percent from 6.9 million during the year-ago quarter.  Meanwhile, Apple shifted 3.05 million Macs, up more than 17 percent from a 2.6 million total from last year.  Overall revenues lifted to $9.87 billion, up 24.9 percent from $7.9 billion last year.  “We are thrilled to have sold more Macs and iPhones than in any previous quarter,” Steve Jobs stated.

So, what about the Great Recession, and the numbing effect on consumers?  One quick explanation is that Apple simply out-innovated the competition, especially in the smartphone market.  But otherwise penny-pinching consumers seemed more than willing to pay exorbitant charges for sub-standard AT&T connectivity, at least in the United States.  Perhaps the allure of the iPhone is simply irresistible, and for Apple, the greatest sales surges may accompany broader carrier adoption.

Report by Alexandra Osorio.