Because the number is the wrong metric for measuring the health of their products and customers. Unfortunately, the financial analysts have been so intensely fo

Because the number is the wrong metric for measuring the health of their products and customers. Unfortunately, the financial analysts have been so intensely focused on unit metrics to the point that they can't seem to grasp the true reality and condition of the company. As a result, Apple had to go so far as to: 1) State that their goal is to make their devices last longer. 2) Stop giving unit numbers. Still, I anticipate it will take years before financial analysts to internalize the true nature of this beast. See: http://www.asymco.com/2018/09/13/lasts-longer/ http://www.asymco.com/2018/09/13/lasts-longer/