Jul 23, 2014 10:08 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

As Apple continues to prep for its iPhone 6, the tech giant's handset performed admirably in the quarter-end sales figures, though the iPad did not.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple reported selling 35.2 million iPhone units, up 12.7 percent from a year ago. Sales of the handset got a nice boost from Brazil, Russia, India and China, where the boost was 55 percent.

Unfortunately for Apple, the iPad was on the opposite end of the spectrum and sales slumped for a second straight quarter. Three months ago, sales of the iPad took a 16 percent drop and now, after the quarter that ended June 28, the tablet took another 9 percent tumble.

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO and successor to Steve Jobs, remained optimistic and may have even hinted at big things to come.

"We're thrilled with the results, and we're thrilled with where we are going," he told the Journal. "The momentum is really strong."

It may not be an outright declaration, but it is no secret that Apple is looking to go bigger than ever with the iPhone's screen size and are widely believed to release a 4.7- and 5.5-inch model this fall (the latter could come out at a later date). Apple is also reportedly designing a smart watch and a television set, though the approximate release of either is unknown.

Apple could also be redesigning it iPad, but that has not garnered the same kind of buzz as the other products the tech giant is developing. Michael Binger, a senior portfolio manager at Gradient Investments LLC, told Bloomberg News Apple will be keen to continue to emphasize the iPhone because their "fortunes are tied to the iPhone."

"You'd have to live in a cave to not know that Apple is coming out with a big new batch of iPhones," he said. "We're coming in to a big time for Apple in the back half of the year."

Until then, Samsung is having its fun...

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