Total smartphone operating profit in Q3 was $9.4 billion. Apple had $8.6 billion of that with the second, third and fourth most profitable companies, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo each making a profit of $200 million representing 2% of the total.

“Apple’s ability to maximize pricing and minimise production cost is hugely impressive and the iPhone continues to generate monster profits,” says Strategy Analytics’ Linda Sui.

The next most profitable companies were Vivo and Oppo of China.

In Q3 Huawei became the world’s most profitable Android phone vendor.

“An efficient supply chain, sleek products and effective marketing have been among the main drivers of Huawei’s robust profitability,” says SA’s Neil Mawston, “Vivo and Oppo delivered relatively healthy profitability due to disciplined pricing and soaring shipments across Asia.”