Like most such "So-and-so's sales beat Apple's..." headlines, all one has to do is be patient. The truth always comes out in the end, when the competitor "phases out" their new "iPhone killer" product and drops it from their line. As you point out, the real story is in the profit-and-loss statements from the company's officers, not the bullshit that emerges from the tech press' so-called journalists.
The problem with these headlines is that they use statements made by people who have every reason to lie. They're in the Sales and Marketing departments, not the Finance and Auditing departments, where truth is valued and must be adhered to.
But even though they're paid to prevaricate, these hacks are not stupid. They're basically writing advertising copy, not a term paper. They know that the only headline word/phrase that exceeds "Apple" for eyeball draw, is "Sex Scandal" coupled with the name of a well-known politician. If they could somehow position their new product sales figures press release next to an article about some politician paying for a BJ in a gay bar, or getting caught in a threesome with a whore and a sheep, you know they would.
BTW, no offense or disparagement intended to the S&M individuals personally. They're just doing the job they're paid to do, and I understand that. But we gotta call a spade a spade, or as a buddy used to say, "it's a f*&%@ing shovel".
“They’re in the Sales and Marketing departments, not the Finance and Auditing departments, where truth is valued and must be adhered to.”
The suits worn by the CPAs are part of the act.
Do you honestly think they are truthful, after Arthur Andersen, etc? (They were simply the ones that were caught, warning the remainder to be careful, more creative, hide behind new regs/rules/practices)
Reporting companies pay their CPAs millions each year. Do you think they expect to be hassled, or expect to be assisted, for their money?
Deception through Sales/Marketing is really easy, for you deal with the unwashed masses.
Deception through Accounting/Finance is more complicated, complex, for you are dealing with six figure professional crooks (including those in government), with MBAs, JDs and CPAs.
How does GE make billions in profits, and pay no taxes?
“Truth valued and must be adhered to?”