ARM reported excellent financial results for calendar year Q4 2011 and it likely has Samsung and Apple to thank more than any other companies.
Revenue last quarter rose 21 percent to $217 million while profits leaped 45 percent to roughly $90 million. Since public statements almost never dive into details, ARM accordingly gave credit to new licensing fees, royalties, and growing demand for smartphones and tablets. Tim Score, CFO of ARM , said the average smartphone generates anywhere between five and ten times more royalty revenue than a regular cell phone.
To be more specific, success from Apple and Samsung spiked ARM’s revenue. In CYQ4, Apple shipped 62 million iOS devices and Samsung shipped 35 million smartphones — all of which include ARM’s processing architectures.
“2012 will bring exciting opportunities and challenges as ARM enters competitive new markets where we are well positioned to succeed with leading technology, an innovative business model and a thriving ecosystem of Partners,” said CEO Warren East. “As our customers are designing more ARM technology into their widening product portfolios, ARM is investing in the development of new products. These products will drive further long-term growth in our revenues, profits and cash.”
Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system, slated for release in 2012, will add support for ARM processors and give the company another noticeable rise in income. Apple will also presumably ship the iPad 3 and sixth-generation iPhone this year with an A6 processor based off of ARM’s technologies.