Apple's net profit for the quarter, ended Sept. 29, was US$8.2 billion, or $8.67 per share, up sharply from $6.6 billion, or $7.05 per share, in the same quarter a year earlier, the company announced Thursday. That was below the analyst forecast of $8.75 per share, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters. Revenue was $35.97 billion, up from $28.27 billion and slightly ahead of expectations.

Apple sold 58 percent more iPhones than in the same quarter last year, while iPad shipments were up 26 percent, it said.

Mac sales weren't so strong, growing 1 percent to 4.9 million units, while iPod sales continued to decline, falling to 5.3 million, as more people relied on their smartphones to listen to music.

Despite missing Wall Street's earnings forecast, the revenue and profit were Apple's highest yet, and it announced a dividend of $2.65 per share for its stockholders.

"We're very proud to end a fantastic fiscal year with record September quarter results," CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.