Apple reports blockbuster quarter as iPhone sales top estimates

(Reuters) - Apple Inc reported a bigger-than-expected rise in iPhone sales for the holiday quarter, driven by strong demand for the latest version of its flagship smartphone. Apple sold 78.29 million iPhones in the first quarter ended Dec. 31, up from 74.78 million last year, marking the first quarterly growth in iPhone sales in a year. Analysts on average had estimated iPhone sales of 77.42 million, according to research firm FactSet StreetAccount.