Cupertino, Calif. - Apple (NASD: AAPL) is now the third-largest mobile phone company in the world, behind Nokia and Samsung, and its iPhone outsold RIM's (NASD: RIMM) BlackBerry in the recent quarter, the company revealed in its earnings statement. Apple said it sold 6.9 million of its iPhone 3G devices in the quarter ended Sept. 27, compared with 6.1 million BlackBerry units sold by RIM.

The company also noted that it has already surpassed its previously stated goal to sell 10 million iPhones during 2008.

The iPhone sales generated $4.6 billion for Apple during the quarter, representing 39% of its $11.68 billion in overall revenues.

In addition to iPhones, Apple also sold 11 million iPods in the quarter.

"Apple just reported one of the best quarters in its history, with a spectacular performance by the iPhone -- we sold more phones than RIM," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

"We don't yet know how this economic downturn will affect Apple. But we're armed with the strongest product line in our history, the most talented employees and the best customers in our industry. And $25 billion of cash safely in the bank with zero debt."

Related Links:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/10/21results.html

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/10/with-iphone-app.html