Apple Inc. said Tuesday sales of its iPhone and new iPad tablet computer helped push third-quarter net income up 78 per cent over the same period in 2009.

Net income was $3.25 billion US, or $3.51 per share.

Apple has come in for criticism for an antenna problem with its iPhone 4, which affects call reception. (Kiichiro Sata/Associated Press)

Analysts polled by Bloomberg had estimates for income that averaged $2.87 billion, or $3.09 a share. A year earlier, the company made $1.23 billion, or $1.35 a share.

Revenue rose to $15.7 billion, up 61 per cent, from $9.7 billion last year.

Apple said it sold about 3.3 million iPads in April through June, the gadget's first three months on the market. IPhone unit sales rose 61 per cent, with a boost at the end of the quarter from the launch of the iPhone 4.

Apple reported after the close. In after hours trading, Apple shares rose $7.11, or 2.8 per cent, to $259.00.

The results were the first since the release of the iPad on April 3 and of the iPhone 4, which has come in for criticism for an antenna flaw that affects call reception.

The iPhone 4 will be released in Canada and 16 other countries on July 30.

With files from The Associated Press