Years ago, it would have been preposterous to suggest that one Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) product could outsell all Microsoft, Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) products combined. But Forbes’ new report on the two companies, which quoted a passage from Vanity Fair, contains the figures to prove that one Apple iPhone (or one iPhone and different models) can do more than several electronic gadgets made by one company, in this case, Microsoft.

According to the report, the iPhone sold a total of $22.7 million in the first quarter of 2012, as opposed to $17.4 billion for Microsoft. The iPhone, said the quote from Vanity Fair, sold more than several Microsoft products put together, including “every other product that Microsoft has created since 1975.”

It sounds credible enough to us, but many doubt whether it would actually hold water. Doubts on the actual accuracy of the figures had also been casted, despite the reliable sources.

In any case, Microsoft may have to rethink its plans to focus solely on post-PC products, because Apple’s new iPhone is expected by analysts to shatter all sales records for mobile phones. Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 will be out within the next few months, and by the looks of things, the latter OS will find it tough to compete with the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 and the wide range of available Android phones.

In fact, the iPhone just might continue its cannibalization of the tablet and desktop market, as many analysts agree the handheld convenience of mobile phones make them more appealing to today’s consumers.