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Apple’s Q1 2026 earnings call was, without question, a nod to its latest iPhone 17 series, even though no direct sales figures were given for individual models. Nevertheless, Tim Cook sounded extremely enthusiastic during the call, going on to say that Apple "just had a quarter for the record books."
The numbers clearly show what drove Apple’s bottom line. After looking through the earnings report and hearing about Apple’s major victories, I’m even more excited for the iPhone 18. Apple has a bit of breathing room for now to soak in its successes, but the future ahead is only going to get more challenging.
I’ll break down the most important key facts from the reports and earnings call to give you my analysis on how that plays into Apple’s iPhone 18 release, tipped for later this year. Here’s what they are.
iPhone revenue drove more than half of Apple’s total revenue
Why it matters: By itself, the iPhone category generated $85.3 billion in revenue for Apple. It’s a staggering portion of the pie, considering that other categories like Mac and iPad each drove a little more than $8 billion in revenue. What’s truly remarkable about iPhone sales for Q1 2026 is that they accounted for approximately 59.3% of Apple’s total revenue for the period.
“As I mentioned earlier, it was a fantastic quarter for iPhone with an all-time revenue record of $85.3 billion, up 23% year over year,” explained Cook. This broke the previous record of $71.6 billion that Apple set during its Q1 2022 period. That’s a significant increase, even for a company of Apple’s scale.
My analysis: I’m not surprised by these results because the iPhone 17 lineup is one of the most diverse in years. It helps that Apple has covered every price segment, from the budget iPhone 16e to the powerful iPhone 17 Pro Max. I still can't say enough good things about the standard iPhone 17, as I personally believe it offers the best value, complete with a 120Hz refresh rate, double the storage, and no change to its price.
Looking ahead, these results put pressure on Apple to ensure the iPhone 18 lineup is just as robust. One rumor that has me excited is the leap to 2nm chips with the presumed A20 chip, which should bring not only bigger performance gains but perhaps a massive jump in power efficiency as well.
Collaborating with Google will expedite new Apple Intelligence features
Why it matters: When Apple Intelligence first launched with iOS 18.1, it added practical features that helped users save time. However, with the launch of iOS 26 last fall, an updated Visual Intelligence experience was the only meaningful new Apple Intelligence feature.
While the Q1 2026 earnings report doesn’t explicitly mention any impact of Apple Intelligence on its bottom line, Tim Cook’s remarks during the earnings call hint at bigger plans. “Building on our efforts in the AI space, we are also collaborating with Google to develop the next generation of Apple foundation models,” said Cook. “This will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year.”
My analysis: Apple’s move to collaborate with Google could signify major advancements for Apple Intelligence by accelerating the development and release of new features for the iPhone 18. Nowadays, many smartphone manufacturers are prioritizing software over hardware — the Pixel 10 lineup is a perfect example — because its new AI features overshadow the minor hardware upgrades the phones received.
Google’s Gemini is one of the most powerful AI assistants available, and it has the potential to take Siri to a new level. I’ve seen how Gemini’s cross-app actions work flawlessly on supported devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and I can see the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max leveraging Google’s technology to enhance telephoto shots captured by the devices — like how Pro Res Zoom adds greater detail and definition to snapshots.
The Apple-Corning partnership is one to watch
Why it matters: This last point is particularly interesting because it often flies under the radar. While Apple’s longstanding relationship with glassmaker Corning was highlighted only briefly during the call, I believe it has significant implications for the future of American manufacturing.
"Through our advanced manufacturing program, we are working with Corning in Kentucky to make 100% of cover glass for iPhone and Apple Watch,” said Cook. In August 2025, Apple committed $2.5 billion for a major expansion of Corning’s Kentucky manufacturing facility.
This partnership actually dates back to the original iPhone. In more recent years, Corning has also been tapped to manufacture the protective curved glass for the Apple Vision Pro.
My analysis: The iPhone 17 lineup uses Corning’s Ceramic Shield 2 for its durability and optical quality. I suspect this ongoing partnership will extend to the iPhone 18 with an even stronger glass material. I’ve seen the durability of Ceramic Shield 2 on the iPhone Air — specifically its ability to resist scratches and bending — so I hope the next iteration will be both stronger and thinner for the iPhone 18 lineup.
However, given the rumors of Samsung adding a privacy glass feature to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I’m hoping Corning and Apple are developing a similar feature further down the road. Beyond the iPhone, I suspect this relationship will extend into new product segments. Perhaps we'll see it in Apple’s rumored smart glass venture?
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