Apple reported strong iPhone sales and rebound in revenue from China, giving a much-needed boost to two parts of the company’s business that had struggled over the past year.

Apple Inc. reported third-quarter revenue that handily topped analysts’ estimates, boosted by strong sales of the iPhone and products in China.

Apple’s sales in China have also suffered from competition from local handset makers such as Huawei and Xiaomi. However, revenue from China increased 4 per cent in the quarter from a year ago, hitting $15.4bn and bucking a trend of quarterly declines.