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AT&T Beats Subscriber Forecasts as iPhone Deals and Bundled Plans Boost Growth

AT&T added more new wireless customers than expected in the third quarter, lifted by bundled service discounts and aggressive iPhone 17 promotions that helped it compete in a crowded U.S. telecom market. However, the company’s shares fell about 2% on Wednesday after slightly missing revenue estimates due to weaker equipment sales.

The September quarter is a key period for wireless carriers, coinciding with Apple’s annual iPhone release, when firms battle fiercely to win subscribers. AT&T rolled out generous trade-in offers and upgrade incentives to draw new users and push existing ones toward higher-tier plans.

The company reported 405,000 new postpaid wireless subscribers, surpassing FactSet’s estimate of 334,100, while equipment revenue from its mobility division rose 6.1% to $4.79 billion, slightly below Visible Alpha’s forecast of $4.93 billion. Operating costs climbed 3.8%, driven by pricier phones and heavier marketing expenses.

Analysts said the fourth quarter could see an even sharper rise in customer upgrades during the holiday season, pressuring profit margins. MoffettNathanson noted that “a normalization of upgrade rates” could increase churn and reduce average revenue per user (ARPU).

To retain customers, AT&T has leaned on its bundled fiber and wireless offerings, offering discounts to multi-service subscribers. The strategy is paying off: over 41% of AT&T’s fiber broadband customers now also use its mobile service, and broadband net additions of 558,000 marked the company’s best performance in over eight years.

Still, revenue from AT&T’s business wireline unit fell 7.8%, reflecting ongoing declines in legacy voice and data products.

On an adjusted basis, the company earned $0.54 per share, matching analyst expectations. Total revenue came in at $30.7 billion, just shy of the $30.87 billion forecast.

While the results highlight AT&T’s subscriber momentum, analysts warn that the coming upgrade surge could test the sustainability of its current growth strategy.

Apple Nears $4 Trillion Valuation as iPhone 17 Demand Surges in China and U.S.

Apple shares soared 4.2% to $262.9 on Monday, pushing the tech giant’s market capitalization to $3.9 trillion — within striking distance of becoming the third company ever to hit $4 trillion. The surge follows stronger-than-expected early sales of the iPhone 17 series, which has outperformed its predecessor across key markets.

Data from Counterpoint Research showed that iPhone 17 sales in China and the United States were 14% higher during the first 10 days compared to the iPhone 16 launch, signaling renewed momentum for Apple’s flagship product. The rally places Apple just behind AI-chip leader Nvidia, now the world’s most valuable company.

Brokerage Evercore ISI added Apple to its Tactical Outperform List, predicting that the company will exceed quarterly forecasts and issue optimistic guidance for the December period. Analysts pointed to robust online orders in China, where delivery times suggest particularly strong early demand.

Apple’s September launch introduced an upgraded iPhone lineup, including the slimmer iPhone Air, while keeping prices stable despite U.S. tariff pressures. “The demand trends are clearly on the front foot again,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth.

After struggling earlier this year due to weakness in China and tariff concerns, Apple’s stock has rebounded since August, buoyed by its $100 billion U.S. investment plan aimed at mitigating trade risks. If the rally holds, Monday will mark Apple’s largest one-day gain in four weeks, setting the stage for its October 30 earnings report.

Apple’s Upcoming iPhone 18 Series, Including First Foldable Model, Expected to Run on 2nm A20 Chip

Apple is reportedly preparing to power its next-generation iPhone 18 series with its first 2nm processors, marking a major leap in mobile chip technology. According to tipsters on Weibo, the standard iPhone 18 will be equipped with the A20 chip, while the higher-end iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the company’s first foldable iPhone, tentatively called the iPhone Fold, will feature the more powerful A20 Pro chipset. This advancement is expected to bring improved energy efficiency, faster processing, and enhanced AI and graphics capabilities for Apple’s upcoming smartphones. Devamını Oku